Islamabad: Over 900 utility stores have been closed nationwide, including 30 in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, leaving the general public searching for relief in vain. The federal government has ended all subsidies and included the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) in its privatization list, sparking widespread discontent among the public.
Adding to the woes, profiteers and hoarders appear to have a free hand, driving prices to unprecedented levels in open markets. Raja Muhammad Miskeen, General Secretary of the All Pakistan Utility Stores Corporation, told The News that the federal government’s decision to privatize the USC has already resulted in the closure of over 900 stores across the country. “More than 30 stores in Rawalpindi and Islamabad alone have been shuttered, and over 4,000 daily wage workers are under threat of termination,” he revealed. “Even the 11,000 employees who have worked in USC for years are now facing a state of uncertainty and unrest,” he added.
Beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) are also expressing frustration, stating that neither federal nor provincial governments are offering them any form of relief. Many criticized the government for prioritizing profits over people’s welfare and accused it of allowing unchecked profiteering and hoarding to exploit citizens further.
The public voiced their anger over repeated hikes in fuel, gold, and dollar rates, which have added to the inflationary pressure. On Sunday, the government raised petrol prices by Rs3.47 per liter, setting the new price at Rs256.13 per liter, while high-speed diesel saw a Rs2.61 increase to Rs260.95 per liter. The exchange rate for the dollar hovered between Rs280 and Rs282, and gold prices continued to climb. Additionally, toll taxes have reportedly doubled, exacerbating the financial burden on the public.
A recent market survey conducted by The News highlighted the alarming surge in prices of essential goods, leaving the public grappling with the harsh realities of inflation. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is now being sold at Rs330 per kilogram, while dry wood costs have risen to Rs1300 per 40 kilograms, and coal is priced at Rs140 per kilogram. The cost of meat has reached staggering heights, with mutton selling at Rs2200 per kilogram, beef at Rs1300 per kilogram, and chicken meat at Rs740 per kilogram. Vegetables, which were once affordable staples, are now luxuries, with potatoes, onions, and tomatoes priced between Rs100 and Rs150 per kilogram. The cost of garlic has skyrocketed to Rs800 per kilogram, and ginger follows closely at Rs400 per kilogram. Even everyday essentials like ghee and cooking oil have reached unprecedented levels, with ghee priced at Rs575 per kilogram and cooking oil showing no relief. Rice now sells at Rs400 per kilogram, red chili at Rs800, and a 900-gram tea pack has soared to an astounding Rs2250, reflecting the severe financial strain on households across the country.
Locals expressed frustration, complaining that shopkeepers set prices arbitrarily with no regulatory oversight. While Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak has instructed price control magistrates to monitor open markets, the measures have proven ineffective. A full-time price control magistrate has been deployed, but profiteers and hoarders continue to operate freely. Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have appealed to Prime Minister and Chief Minister Punjab to provide meaningful relief instead of closing critical facilities like USC stores. “There’s a huge gap between government claims and ground realities,” citizens lamented.
The public’s frustration underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address inflation and ensure access to essential goods at fair prices. Without swift action, the economic burden on the common man is only expected to grow.
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