A massive increase in the prices of vegetables and fruits is being witnessed across the country, including the federal capital, while there is a significant difference between the price lists issued by the market committee and the rates at which items are being sold in the markets.
According to the Islamabad Market Committee, the maximum price of tomatoes has been fixed at Rs170 per kilogram, however, in various city markets, tomatoes are being sold for up to Rs500 per kilogram.
Similarly, the official price of high-quality apples is Rs297 per kilogram, but in the market, they are available for Rs450 to Rs500 per kilogram.
V News visited the Islamabad market and tried to find out why fruits and vegetables are not available according to the rates issued by the market committee.
According to fruit sellers, they do not get these items from the wholesale market at official rates. A shopkeeper said that when we ourselves do not get tomatoes for Rs170 anywhere, how can we sell them at that price?
Tomatoes are not available anywhere in Pakistan for Rs170 per kilogram; even in the wholesale market, the price of tomatoes is up to Rs400 per kilogram at this time.
V News contacted Islamabad Market Committee Chairman Sajid Abbasi to know on what basis the price list is issued. Sajid Abbasi said that every evening, after the auction in Islamabad market, the average rates are calculated and the price list is issued with a minor profit margin.
The enforcement of these rates is the responsibility of the district administration. The administration conducts visits to see where the official price list is not being followed, and fines are imposed on those selling goods at higher prices.
Last week, on citizens’ complaints, the Assistant Commissioner (Saddar) visited the vegetable market. During the inspection, 12 shopkeepers were detained for selling fruits and vegetables at higher prices and for not displaying the price list.
According to the administration, implementation of the official price list is being ensured at all costs in Sunday bazaars and markets of the federal capital, while teams of assistant commissioners and price control magistrates have visited all markets and imposed fines.
The district administration has appealed to citizens to always pay according to the official price list while shopping and to immediately lodge complaints in case of any violation.
