With just a day left until Ramadan, residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad continue to struggle with increasing prices of essential food items.
A noticeable gap has been reported between the price listed on government official rate lists and the actual rates of food items sold in the Sunday bazaar.
Citizens have expressed frustrations, many shoppers have also expressed concerns over the quality of goods being sold in these markets, calling for better regulation and improvements.
A recent market survey revealed major price differences. For instance, potatoes were being sold for Rs90 per kilogram at the Committee Chowk Sunday Bazaar, despite the government rate being fixed at Rs52.
Similarly, onions were available for Rs100 per kilogram, whereas the official price was Rs81. Tomatoes were priced at Rs80 per kilogram, exceeding the government-set rate of Rs60.
Garlic was another example, with imported varieties priced at Rs600 per kilogram, closely matching the official rate of Rs595 to Rs600.
However, local garlic was being sold for Rs540 per kilogram. Ginger, which was supposed to be priced between Rs365 and Rs370, was being sold between Rs480 and Rs500 per kilogram.
Lemons showed the highest difference, with a market rate of Rs200 per kilogram against an official price of Rs90. Other vegetables also saw similar price hikes.
Additionally, eggplants were being sold between Rs110 and Rs120 per kilogram, compared to the government rate of Rs78, while capsicum was available for Rs200 per kilogram, significantly higher than the official Rs80.
Fruits were not released from these price hikes. Apples, for example, were being sold at Rs350 per kilogram, even though the official price was Rs280.
Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak has announced the establishment of 24 special Ramadan markets across the division for the convenience of the general public.
These “Ramazan Sasta Bazaars” are aimed at providing essential items at subsidized rates.
Eight bazaars will be set up in Rawalpindi, six in Attock, five in Chakwal, three in Jhelum, and two in Murree. To prevent hoarding and price overcharging, special price magistrates will be deployed to ensure fair pricing.
The Commissioner has instructed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to finalize preparations for these relief markets.
Dedicated stalls will be set up for sugar and other essential commodities, offering them at wholesale and reduced rates.
Additionally, Khattak has emphasized that these markets should be located in areas where they do not cause traffic blocking, with proper parking, cleanliness, and security arrangements in place.
He also directed that before Ramadan begins, a price control committee meeting should be held to regulate and enforce price lists for essential items.
These lists will be prominently displayed at Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner offices for transparency.
To ensure a steady supply of goods and prevent shortages, authorities have been instructed to work closely with traders and market committee members. The monitoring of stock levels will be a key part of maintaining price stability.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema assured officials that the district administration would establish eight Ramadan relief markets across different tehsils.
These markets will offer essential goods at wholesale prices to provide maximum relief to the public.
In Rawalpindi city tehsil, these markets will be located at Allama Iqbal Park and Haidri Chowk. In Rawalpindi Cantonment tehsil, one will be set up at Chohar Model Bazaar, while another will be located at Chak Beli Khan in Rawalpindi Saddar tehsil.