Coal, firewood rates up

As the cold wave persisted, the prices of wood and coal have increased in the provincial metropolis here Sunday. Met officials said that continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. They predicted that dense fog is likely to prevail in Islamabad, most plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh while in few districts of KP during morning and night hours. Cold and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country while very cold in upper areas. Sunday’s minimum temperature was recorded at Skardu where mercury dropped to a record -21°C while in Lahore, it was 4.8°C and maximum was 12°C. On the other hand, the prices of coal and firewood increased in the city creating difficulty for the citizens who are already facing gas load-shedding and high prices of LPG. Citizens said the price of coal jumped to Rs75 per kg, which was Rs40 before the winter season. They added that the price of dry firewood was also increased to Rs45 per kilogram from Rs20 per kilogram. Citizens appealed to the chief minister to direct the district administration to regulate the prices of coal and firewood.