Ramazan Bazaar. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
As Ramazan draws to a close, the government’s campaign to enforce official price lists in Lahore’s markets appears to have brought little tangible relief to consumers, with traders continuing to sell essential goods well above the notified prices.
Market research suggests that most foods – from vegetables and fruits to poultry and dairy products – remain largely unavailable at government-fixed prices. For many residents, the weekly price lists issued by the district administration have increasingly become symbolic rather than enforceable.
Officials have maintained that inspection drives are being conducted and penalties are being imposed to curb overcharging.
However, consumers say enforcement efforts have largely focused on Sahulat Ramazan Bazaars – subsidized markets that operate under a separate administrative structure designed to provide commodities at a controlled price.
Critics argue that the emphasis on these bazaars has diverted attention from the much larger network of neighborhood markets where most residents buy their daily groceries. Instead of ensuring compliance in open markets, the district administration and the Special Assistant on Food Safety and Consumer Protection have repeatedly highlighted visits to Ramazan Bazaars as evidence of enforcement.
Analysts say that while problems in subsidized bazaars can often be resolved through administrative coordination, the real challenge lies in monitoring the thousands of shops operating across the city.
In the markets, violations of official price lists remain widespread. Essential commodities – including milk, curds, pulses and perishable goods – are rarely sold at the prices set by the authorities.
Assistant commissioners occasionally impose fines during inspections, but traders often resume overcharging when the officials leave. Shopkeepers in several markets acknowledged that such sanctions had limited deterrent effect.
Instead, fines are often treated as a routine business expense, with the additional costs ultimately passed on to customers through higher prices.
Consumers called for a robust price control strategy that prioritizes consistent monitoring of all markets, tougher penalties for repeat offenders and enforcement mechanisms capable of translating official policies into real relief for households.
The latest weekly interest rate list illustrates the widening gap between official and prevailing market rates.
Live chicken prices rose by Rs10 per kilogram on the official list to Rs339-353, but the commodity was largely unavailable at these prices in many quarters. Chicken meat rose by Rs14 to an official price of Rs511 per kg, while consumers paid between Rs560 and Rs630. Boneless chicken hovered around Rs 950 per kg in several areas.
The vegetable markets showed a similar pattern. Soft new potatoes were officially fixed at Rs 18-20 per quintal. kg but sold at Rs 30-40.
Tomatoes remained officially priced at Rs60-65 per kg, though retail prices ranged from Rs120 to Rs160. Onions were raised by Rs8 per kg to Rs55-60 but continued to sell between Rs80 and Rs120.
Chinese lemons remained listed at Rs60-65 per quintal. kg but sold between Rs120 and Rs250.
Peas remained officially priced at Rs38-40 per quintal. kg but sold between Rs80 and Rs100. Beetroot is sold between Rs 200 and Rs 400 per kg. Coriander was available at around Rs 50 per bundle, while turnips, pegged at Rs 23-25 per kg, were sold at Rs 60-80. Mustard leaves, fixed at Rs 28-30 per kg, sells at around Rs.60.
Fruit markets also showed significant differences. Apples were officially priced between Rs250 and Rs420 per kg but sold at Rs350-700 depending on quality. A-category bananas were fixed at Rs 215-240 per quintal. dozen, but sold at Rs.300-350, while the B category, fixed at Rs.125-140 per dozen, was sold between Rs.200 and Rs.250.
Kandhari pomegranates were fixed at Rs 601-630 per quintal. kg, but sold between Rs 800 and 1,000. Melons, discounted to Rs100-135 officially, are selling at Rs200-250 per kg. Strawberries, priced at Rs 247-260 per kg on the official list, sold at Rs 300-350, while grapes, officially fixed between Rs 420 and Rs 600 per kg, sold between Rs 600 and Rs1,000.
