Islamabad administration fails to adhere to official price list as Chicken prices surge

ISLAMABAD: With the commencement of Ramadan, the prices of chicken along with other commodities have soared as the shopkeepers refuse to adhere to the official rate list while price control magistrates remain unseen.

The official price of chicken in Islamabad stands at Rs 595 per kg (meat), but in the market, it sells for Rs 700 per kg. It is with the onset of Ramadan that hoarders and profiteers have become active, selling essential items at arbitrary prices completely ignoring official rates.

Artificial inflation has now on peak, with profiteers exploiting consumers while the district administration watches silently. Vendors allege they cannot sell chicken at official rates since their procurement price is too high.

The prices of fruits and vegetables have also been raised abnormally. Apples, which are supposed to be sold for Rs300 per kg, are selling for Rs350. Instead of 270 rupees, a dozen costs now 300 rupees.

Instead of 220 rupees, guavas this year cost 250 rupees per kg, while melons, which are supposed to cost 140 rupees per kg, are now finding buyers at 160 rupees a kg.

Grapes, which have an official price of Rs 305 per kg, are being sold for Rs 350. The vegetable price has also shown a huge increase.

From the official rates, potatoes have seen a rise from Rs55 to Rs70, onions from Rs75 to Rs100, and tomatoes from Rs40 to Rs70. Ginger, marked at Rs370, is being sold for Rs400, while garlic was fixed at Rs600 but sells for Rs800.