A large number of visitors have complained that shopkeepers at Lake View Park, Pir Sohawa, Shakarparian, Daman-e-Koh and Jasmine Garden were not following the prescribed rate list and overcharging the customers.
They seemed perturbed over skyrocketing prices of edible items being sold at stalls of the picnic spots while authorities concerned looked least interested to address the problem.
The rate of regular soft drink was Rs. 59 per bottle, fresh lime sprite sold at Rs 99 per bottle, Naan at Rs 29, mineral water bottle sold at Rs 85 per bottle at Pir Sohawa.
The prices of potato chips, biscuits and burgers were almost double in all picnic spots as compared to those in open market.
A visitor Zaheer Khan alleged that there was no check on the prices of food and other items available in the tourist resorts.
The families visiting different locations complained that overcharging, sale of substandard food items and unavailability of quality items were the main features of vendors as the authorities concerned failed to control quality and rates of the commodities. They demanded of the authorities to take action against the violators.
When contacted, an official told APP that the management regularly checks quality and prices of edibles being sold at picnic spots. He said the administration would take stern action against the shopkeepers found involved in overcharging or selling substandard items. A vendor at Pir Sohawa, admitting the overcharging, said, “It is difficult for us to sell the items at open market rates as we have to pay the rent of the stall which is higher as compared to markets.”
