Rawalpindi’s price crisis: profiteering soars amid administrative failure

Rawalpindi : Rawalpindi’s local administration has failed to rein in profiteers and hoarders, resulting in skyrocketing prices of essential commodities. Citizens searching for price control magistrates in local markets have been left frustrated, as these officials are nowhere to be found. The magistrates themselves appear helpless in enforcing government-imposed price controls.

The price of chicken meat has surged past Rs800 per kilogram, with retailers selling it at Rs830 per kg. Sugar is being sold at Rs180 per kg, a dozen bananas at Rs350, mutton at Rs2,500 per kg, and beef at Rs1,500 per kg.

Following the surge in sugar prices, chicken prices have now reached an all-time high. The wholesale price has climbed to Rs19,000 per 40 kilograms, with live chicken being sold at Rs550 per kg and chicken meat at Rs830 per kg. Despite the government's official rate of Rs412 per kg for live chicken, the regulated price is unattainable anywhere in the city or cantonment areas.

Khursheed Abbasi, Vice President of the Poultry Association Rawalpindi, explained that demand for chicken has increased by 40 per cent during Ramazan, while supply has remained insufficient. He warned that if the supply issue is not addressed, chicken prices could surge even further by Eidul-Fitr. Faisal Khan, Secretary of the Retailers' Union, confirmed that the wholesale price of chicken is rising daily.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi administration appears engaged in endless meetings—conducting six to ten daily—but delivering no tangible results.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Engineer Aamir Khattak, has warned officials to curb artificial inflation in open markets. He has been conducting regular visits to different areas, vowing, "I will not spare profiteers and hoarders at any cost."