GUJRANWALA: As the holy month of Ramazan begins, prices of vegetables, fruits, and other essential items continue to rise, despite repeated inspections by the district administration and concerned departments. Raids and visits by administrative officers to markets appear largely symbolic, serving more as photo opportunities than effective interventions.
According to a survey by The News, shopkeepers in open markets are primarily focused on profiteering, while government-run Ramazan Bazaars cater to only a small fraction of the population. Most citizens still rely on nearby open markets for essential goods.
Currently, prices in open markets far exceed those at Ramadan Bazaars. Potato is being sold at Rs40–50 per kg, onion at Rs90 per kg, ginger at Rs400 per kg, garlic at Rs550 per kg, and tomato around Rs150 per kg. Similarly, apple is sold at Rs550 per kg, orange at Rs450 per kg, pomegranate at Rs900 per kg, banana at Rs300 per dozen, and guava at Rs300 per kg.
A local shopkeeper argued that selling goods at Ramazan Bazaar rates was not feasible, but an official source dismissed this claim as false and baseless. Consumers are particularly concerned as meat prices have also surged, with mutton at Rs2,500 per kg and beef at Rs1,300 per kg.
