During the first week of the holy month of Ramadan, the prices of edible items in weekly and sasta bazaars of the city witnessed a significant increase, as compared to last week’s rates.
The prices of potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage and lemons rose, while the price of chicken also increased by Rs 10 per kg, from last week’s rate of Rs 147, to being sold at Rs 157 per kg this week.
While visiting various bazaars, Pakistan Today observed that sasta bazaars established by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration received a greater number of visitors than the CDA run weekly bazaars.
Talking to Pakistan Today, AC Saddar Capt (r) Faridudin said that food items in Islamabad G-7 sasta bazaar were 20 to 30 percent cheaper than open market rates.
“The ICT run bazaars have been providing quality food items to people at cheaper rates, which is the main attraction for the common buyer,” he added.
According to sunday bazaar’s rate list, potatoes were being sold at Rs 36 per kg as compared to last week’s rate of Rs 34, lemons were being sold at Rs 152 per kg as compared to last week’s rate of Rs 96: during the last fifteen days the prices of lemons registered a 100 percent increase. This Sunday, black pepper was sold at Rs 80 as compared to previous week’s rate of Rs 75. The prices of cabbage and cauliflower also registered an increase of Rs 6 and 10, respectively. Cabbage sold at Rs 36 and cauliflower at Rs 50 per kg.
In the fruit section, prices of most items remained stable. This week Gajani apples were sold at Rs 100, China-Golden apple at Rs 180, Sindhri Mangoes at Rs 80, and bananas were sold at Rs 60, as compared to last week’s rate of Rs 50 per kg.
Talking to Pakistan Today, the visitors of Sunday Bazaars expressed their anger over sky-rocketing price hike. “Inflation and price hike have made it impossible for the common man to run his kitchen,” said Sarjeel Rao, a visitor.
