Rawalpindi
The plan of locking down federal capital Islamabad by PTI has greatly affected the prices of all food items particularly vegetables, as prices have soared enormously.
The ‘shimla mirch’ that was available at Rs120 per kilogram a few days back was being sold at Rs300 here in Sabzi Mandi on Monday, while cabbage at Rs100 per kilogram against its previous price of Rs60.
The profiteers and hoarders taking full advantage of the crisis, created due to the PTI and government tussle, raised price of sugar as it was being sold at Rs80 per kilogram for two days against Rs68.
In present circumstances public was facing huge price hike. Majority of vegetable-loaded vehicles were not reaching here in Rawalpindi-Islamabad vegetable markets for some days because of blockade of roads and uncertain situation in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
According to the wholesale prices collected from Rawalpindi-Islamabad Vegetable and Fruit Market at the time of open bidding, eggplant (bengen) rate shot up to Rs80 per kilogram against Rs40, cabbage at Rs100 against Rs60, bitter guard (karela) at Rs120 against Rs60, ‘Arvi’ at Rs70 against Rs40, tomato at Rs50 against Rs40, beans(matar) at Rs200 against Rs120, onion at Rs40 against Rs30, potato at Rs40 against Rs28, cucumber at Rs120 against Rs60, ladyfinger at Rs80 against Rs60, carrot at Rs80 against Rs50, lemon at Rs100 against Rs80 and green chili at Rs120 against Rs40.
In fruits, the wholesale rate for grape was Rs230 per kg against Rs150, apple Rs100 against Rs70, and banana at Rs60 per dozen against Rs40.
The chicken meat was available at Rs180 now on Monday was selling at Rs270 per kg. The prices of all food items particularly vegetables, chicken, sugar, fruits and milk would went up further after November 2.
Rawalpindi-Islamabad Vegetable and Fruit Wholesale Dealers Association General Secretary Mushtaq Ahmed Khan told ‘The News’ that we are facing shortage of vegetable and fruit as majority of vehicles do not reach here, resulting into hike in prices. “If roads remain blocked, prices will further shoot up in coming days,” he warned.
Rawalpindi-Islamabad Vegetable and Fruit Retailers Association President Shaukat Abbas said that Sabzi Mandi was going fast on Monday as the rates of all food items witnessed upward trend. You can imagine the prices of these items at retail level, he said. He said that there was an unusual rush here in shops on Monday.
Residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in wake of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf show on November 2, and fearing violence, blockade of roads and closure of markets, have started storing kitchen and other necessary items. People especially living in Islamabad have started buying kitchen items like vegetable, meat, chicken etc to store them to avoid skyrocketing prices or shortage during the PTI show on November 2 here.
Assistant Commissioner (Rawalpindi) Tasneem Ali Khan said that we will try to provide maximum relief to public on November 2. “We are continuously monitoring profiteers and hoarders,” he said.
According to schedule, PTI will block exit and entrance points of T-Chowk at Rawat, Jhelum Road at Soan, Airport Chowk on Islamabad Expressway, Motorway Chowk at Tarnol, Faizabad Chowk, Murree Expressway, Golra Chowk, Chakri Interchange and several other points.
The helpless residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are under fear of violence from both sides.
“The situation is going towards violence which was not acceptable for the residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad,” majority of residents said.
“How we could purchase vegetables at skyrocketing prices, government should think about it as we are already leading a hard life,” Yasmeen Tahir, a housewife, said.