PESHAWAR: Prices of daily use items have witnessed an increase up to 15 per cent in the markets of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa because of the coronavirus-led lockdown in the province and overcharging by shopkeepers, triggering financial burden on the population.
Despite clear instructions from the provincial and federal governments, the district administrations have failed to control prices of essential commodities.
In Peshawar, traders have increased the prices of pulses, flour, beef, and sugarcane by Rs20-30 per kilogram, without the approval of the district administration.
At retail outlets, the price of ghee has been increased from Rs170 to Rs 190 per kg, daal mash from Rs25 to Rs30 per kg, while the price of sugar has also been increased from Rs80 to Rs90 per kg.
Farid Khan of Peshawar says local shopkeepers have increased prices of vegetables by 20pc despite vast availability in the province, causing more financial stress on consumers.
It appears the local district administration has failed to provide relief to people, he adds.
Khan demanded the provincial government and the district administration to take effective and immediate action against hoarders, who are creating an artificial shortage of goods in the markets.
Another citizen, who wished not to be named, said due to incompetence of drug Inspectors in KP, prices of medicine have been raised by 40pc.
Amidst the coronavirus crises, the medical stores’ owners are charging their own rates, while the government officials aren’t ready to take proper action, he added.
Citizens urged the government to direct the food department, the district administration, and drug Inspectors to perform duties diligently and take effective actions against hoarders of commodities.
Amin Khan, a Peshawar-based businessman, said the countrywide lockdown and absence of transportation have led to a rise in prices of essential commodities.
He said prices have increased not only in Peshawar but across the country.
Khan said they’ve no other option except to increase prices, asking the government to ensure sufficient supply of daily use commodities to markets.
When contacted, Assistant Commissioner Peshawar Sara Rahman said she couldn’t give an official statement in this regard.
