Abdul Khaliq Qureshi Abbottabad
Residents of Abbottabad are expressing frustration and dismay as soaring prices and unchecked profiteering grip the city ahead of Ramadan. Despite promises from the district administration to curb price hikes and enforce regulations, consumers find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous vendors and a seemingly absent bureaucracy.
The onset of the holy month has traditionally seen a surge in prices for daily commodities, with vegetables and fruits bearing the brunt of the increase. Tomatoes, once priced at Rs120 per kilogram, have skyrocketed to Rs180 per kilogram. Peas have followed suit, jumping from Rs120 to Rs200 per kilogram. Similarly, onions have seen a staggering increase from Rs150 to Rs250 per kilogram. The price of bananas has tripled from Rs100 to Rs350 per dozen, while apples now command Rs400 per kilogram, doubling their previous price.
Despite assurances from Commissioner Hazara and several meetings held to address the issue of price gouging, little action seems to have been taken on the ground. Complaint centers established by the district administration appear to be nothing more than symbolic gestures, with no one present to record grievances or take action against violators.
Residents lament the absence of bureaucracy in addressing their concerns, pointing to the dominance of a “clerk mafia” within government departments that seems indifferent to their plight. The failure to enforce regulations has led to clashes between consumers and vendors, turning markets into battlegrounds.
Attempts to control hawking and enforce bans on certain products have been ineffective, with vendors flouting regulations with impunity. Despite official lists and directives from the authorities, arbitrary pricing continues unabated, leaving consumers feeling helpless and exploited.
Moreover, complaint points established in markets have proven to be ineffectual, with victims of price gouging receiving no recourse or relief.
