RAWALPINDI: The ongoing inflationary trend shows no signs of abating in the twin cities, with prices of essential commodities escalating in the open market. Over the past week, costs for basic items such as flour, ghee, pulses, and bakery products have surged, further burdening consumers.
A bag of wholewheat flour has now reached a price of Rs7,000, marking a Rs1,300 increase, while fine flour has climbed by Rs1,250, reaching Rs9,100 per bag. Similarly, the cost of ghee and cooking oil has risen by Rs90 per kilogram, adding to household expenses.
Traders have criticized the market committees for their lack of effective control, accusing them of issuing impractical price lists for vegetables, fruits, meat, and poultry products. The discrepancy between the official price lists and open market rates ranges between Rs80 to Rs100 per kilogram, leaving consumers to pay significantly higher prices.
In the open market, chicken meat is being sold at Rs650 per kilogram, while eggs are priced at Rs355 per dozen. Mutton costs Rs2,400 per kilogram, and beef is priced at Rs1,400 per kilogram. Milk prices have also risen sharply, with raw milk at Rs220 per kilogram and processed milk at Rs240 per kilogram. Pulses and grains, such as white gram and lentils, now cost Rs410 and Rs400 per kilogram, respectively.
Vegetable prices remain steep, with onions at Rs180 per kilogram, tomatoes at Rs130, and peas at Rs200 per kilogram. Garlic and ginger prices have also soared, with garlic at Rs700 per kilogram and ginger at Rs500.
The persistent rise in prices highlights the need for stricter market regulation to alleviate the financial strain on consumers.
