Hyderabad sets Sasta bazar, offers veggie prices at Rs10/kg

HYDERABAD: In a ground braking move to curb inflation in Pakistan, the elected representatives of the municipality of Hyderabad established a “Sasta Bazaar” in the name of the poor to provide daily life necessities a a cheaper rate.

This bazaar, located inside Latifabad number 12, sells supercheap vegetables like onions, potatoes, and tomatoes – at Rs10 per kilogram. People are lining up at the stalls to get the best rates, and the program is drawing applause from buyers who have appreciated the initiative and wish it will ease their suffering caused by the soaring inflation in the country.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, in an annual comparison, the weekly inflation rate has increased by 3.7%. Consequently, prices of essential items such as sugar, chicken, onions, and bananas have risen.

Following a weeks-long upward trend tracked by the sensitive price indicator, prices of many essentials surged further this past week. Bearing the brunt of the opposition, sugar prices have been up for the fifth week in a row, showing a rise of Rs1.31 per kilo. The price of chicken climbed by Rs42.07 per kilogram, while onions became Rs6.37 kilogram more expensive.

Other commodities that have seen a price hike include bananas, which have increased by Rs3 per dozen, and ghee, which has risen by Rs7.73 per 2.5 kg tin. Beef, pulses, and basmati rice prices have also witnessed an increase, adding to the woes of the common man.

However, it’s not all bad news, as the prices of some commodities have actually decreased. Tomatoes, for example, have seen a price drop of Rs34.41 per kilogram, while potatoes have decreased by Rs6.32 per kilogram. Egg, garlic, and wheat flour prices have also come down, providing some relief to consumers.