Due to rising prices of petroleum products, the prices of essential food items, vegetables, and fruits in the open market in Rawalpindi have increased rapidly, reaching record highs on a daily basis. The price-control magistrates have completely failed to control the situation, while negotiations between grocery merchants and the government regarding reasonable and profitable prices have also failed.
Chicken, mutton and groceries sold at exorbitant prices
According to the survey, grocery, meat, and dairy traders have rejected the official rates set by the Deputy Commissioner and are selling their goods at prices of their own choosing. In the open market, chicken is being sold at Rs 600 per kg, mutton at Rs 2,700 per kg, beef at Rs 1,500 per kg, and eggs at Rs. 240 per dozen. Rock salt is priced at Rs. 550 per kg, white chickpeas at Rs. 400 per kg, rice at Rs. 400 per kg, pulses at Rs. 350 per kg, sugar at Rs. 160 per kg, flour at Rs. 170 per kg, and cooking oil/ghee at Rs. 550 per kg.
Milk is being sold at Rs 250 per litre and yoghurt at Rs 280 per kg. Naan is sold at Rs 35, and special roghni naan at Rs 60. A cup of tea costs Rs. 100. Among vegetables, potatoes are being sold at Rs 50 per kg, onions at Rs 200, tomatoes at Rs 300, garlic at Rs. 280, and ginger at Rs. 350. Okra is priced at Rs. 200 per kg, cabbage at Rs. 150, lemons at Rs. 200, arvi at Rs. 100, eggplant at Rs. 130, peas at Rs 100, carrots at Rs 140, green coriander at Rs. 80, capsicum at Rs. 300, and bitter gourd at Rs. 150 per kg.
Among fruits, peaches are being sold at Rs 350 per kg, bananas at Rs 200 per dozen, sweet potatoes at Rs 200 per dozen, and Bukharan potatoes at Rs 450 per kg. Mangoes are priced between Rs 300 and Rs 350 per kg, Sundar Khani grapes at Rs. 650 per kg, round grapes at Rs. 500 per kg, and pomegranate at Rs. 300 per kg.
Gram is priced at Rs 200 per kg, apples at Rs 250–300 per kg, pears at Rs 300 per kg, coconuts at Rs 500 per piece, and guava at Rs. 200 per kg. The continued rise in prices has placed a significant burden on consumers, while the failure of price-control measures has allowed traders to continue selling essential commodities above the officially notified rate