Artificial inflation continues to rise in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The prices of most essential commodities, especially seasonal vegetables, continue to rise illegally in the federal capital due to the absence of an efficient and effective price control mechanism.

According to details, the residents of Constituency NA-54 with Union Council 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 are still facing artificial inflation. The rising inflation has made the life of the citizens miserable.  

Tomatoes, an essential ingredient of almost all Pakistani dishes, are being sold for between Rs300 and Rs350 per kilogram in different areas of Lahore. Meanwhile, the government has fixed the prices of tomatoes between Rs200 and Rs210/kg at markets.

Similarly, onions, are being sold for up to Rs130/kg in retail markets while the price of the vegetable has been fixed between Rs64 and Rs76/kg.

Commonly used vegetables including eggplant, pumpkin, and Tinda are being sold in the market at exorbitant prices of Rs 80-90 per kilogram. On the other hand, sugar is being sold at Rs 100-105 per kilogram, while the flour is being sold at Rs 75-90 per kg.

The residents have lamented that the prices of essential commodities were skyrocketing but no government action is being taken to deal with the situation. “The officials of the price control committees have no control over the traders and shopkeepers who have jacked up prices,” they added.

The residents further said that the district government’s price control system has proven to be worthless. “The officials are checking the prices of commodities to merely demonstrate that they are performing their duties,” they added.