Ramadan Bazaar. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
More than halfway through Ramzan, Lahore’s widely publicized campaign of market inspections appears to have provided little meaningful relief to consumers, with prices in many markets continuing to deviate sharply from government notified prices.
Despite regular visits by officials – including the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners and the Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Assistant on Food Safety and Consumer Protection – residents say daily necessities remain well above the official price list in large parts of the city.
Authorities have maintained a visible presence in open markets, supermarkets and government-run Ramazan Sahulat Bazaars throughout the fasting month, projecting an image of strict enforcement. But shoppers and market observers say the efforts have largely not translated into sustained price controls.
Staples commonly consumed during the month – particularly meat, milk and curd – have produced the most complaints. Consumers say these goods are often overlooked during official inspections, even as overcrowding continues openly in many markets.
Government Sahulat Bazaars, established to offer subsidized necessities, have provided only limited relief. With relatively few outlets for a city the size of Lahore, access remains uneven. Shoppers at several locations have also reported concerns about quality, citing lower-quality meat, inconsistent produce, and fruits and vegetables that fall short of expectations for the subsidized markets.
Enforcement measures have included fines against suppliers, but traders in several markets say such penalties are often treated as a routine cost of doing business. Many suppliers recognize that fines are quickly offset by passing on higher costs to customers. Inspections are carried out, fines are imposed – and prices often return to previous levels within hours.
Recent price data illustrates the widening gap between official rates and what consumers actually pay.
Live chicken was revised upwards on the official list by Rs15 per kilogram, putting the rate between Rs329 and Rs343 per kg. In many markets, however, it was difficult to find chicken at those prices. Chicken meat, which was officially fixed at Rs 497. per kg after an increase of Rs.22. generally sold between Rs.540 and Rs.610, while boneless chicken exceeded Rs.850 in several areas. per kg.
Vegetable prices have followed a similar pattern. Soft-skinned new potatoes, officially priced at Rs18 to Rs20 per kg, were widely sold at Rs30 to Rs40. Despite a reduction of Rs 5 in the official rate to Rs 60-65 per kg tomatoes are sold between Rs 120 and 160. Onions, officially listed at Rs48-52 per kg, were commonly sold at Rs80 to Rs100.
Other products showed even greater differences. Local garlic, reduced to an official Rs190-200 per kg, was sold at Rs280-300, while imported Chinese garlic ranged from Rs600 to Rs700 despite an official rate of Rs505-530. Thai ginger, pegged at Rs 277-290. per kg, reached Rs400-450 in many markets.
Brinjal, officially Rs76-80 per kg, sold for as much as Rs150-200. Bitter gourd, listed at Rs152-160 per kg, touched Rs350-400. Spinach, officially Rs23-25 per kg, was commonly priced between Rs60 and Rs80. Ladyfinger, pegged at Rs 200-210. per kg, sells for Rs 350-400. Chinese carrots, despite an official cut to Rs76-80 per kg, were sold at Rs250-300.
Other vegetables – including zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, turnip greens and mustard greens – showed similar differences between official prices and market prices.
Fruit markets offered some relief. Apples, officially priced between Rs250 and Rs420 per kg depending on quality, sell for Rs350-600. Dates ranged from Rs800 to Rs2,200 per kg in retail markets despite an official rate of Rs385-490. Guava, listed at Rs 138-145. per kg, sold at Rs.250-300, while grapes fixed at Rs.420-440. fetched Rs.800-1,000.
Kinow, officially priced at Rs220-335 per dozen, sold for Rs350-500 in several markets. Pomegranates listed at Rs 601-630 per kg, was widely sold between Rs 800 and 1,000.
For many residents, the gap between official policy and everyday reality has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
