Citizens bemoan govt’s hollow claims

Islamabad:Even in the Sunday bazaars, the prices of essential food items continue to skyrocket. Onions, which were previously priced at Rs120 per kilogram, have surged to Rs180. Potatoes are now being sold at Rs110, up from Rs100, while tomatoes have risen from Rs100 to Rs160 per kilogram. The price of ginger has jumped to Rs800 from Rs750, and garlic has soared to Rs600 from Rs400. Yet, despite these staggering figures, the government continues to boast confidently about bringing inflation down to single digits.

In reality, relief seems to have evaporated for the common man, as the government has eliminated subsidies for the poor through the Utility Stores Corporation (USC). While the Ministry of Finance claims that inflation is “heading towards single digits,” the public is left wondering what these figures actually mean in their daily lives, where prices are spiralling out of control. The ministry has yet to offer any clear explanation for this bold assertion.

Citizens are demanding answers. “Apart from flour, how many food and non-food items have seen a reduction in prices?” they question. Not only are basic commodities on the rise, but the cost of construction materials is also climbing daily, with no signs of relief. Butchers, as usual, are selling mutton at exorbitant prices—ranging from Rs2200 to Rs2500 per kilogram—while beef is being sold between Rs1300 and Rs1500. Chicken prices are equally outrageous, with chicken meat priced between Rs750 and Rs800 per kilogram.

Just recently, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), in its monetary policy statement, projected that inflation for the fiscal year 2024-25 would average between 11.5% and 13.5%. However, the ground reality paints a different picture, with the public experiencing inflation rates between 30% and 35%. On paper, however, the government claims inflation hovers around just 10% to 11%. Daily essentials have become unaffordable. Ghee is being sold for Rs510 per kilogram, while cooking oil is priced at Rs550. Sugar costs Rs155 per kilogram, and 'shakar' is being sold at Rs240. Rice prices have also surged, with 1 kilogram now selling for between Rs380 and Rs420. Even a 900-gram pack of tea is priced at a staggering Rs2250.

The prices of vegetables, too, are soaring. The minimum cost for 1 kilogram of any vegetable now ranges from Rs130 to Rs150. Non-food items like shoe polish, toothpaste, toothbrushes, washing powder, cleaning products, biscuits, and other household items have also seen drastic price hikes.

Footwear and clothing, items considered basic needs, are no longer affordable for the average person. A simple pair of shoes now costs between Rs4000 and Rs5000, while standard-quality clothes are priced between Rs5000 and Rs7000. Milk prices, both fresh and packed, have followed the same upward trend. Fresh milk is being sold at Rs220 to Rs240 per litre, while packaged milk has surged from Rs190 to Rs300 per litre.

Even the price of sweets has become exorbitant, with 1 kilogram of mixed sweets now priced between Rs1600 and Rs2200. Meanwhile, the cost of a simple cup of tea ranges from Rs60 to Rs100, making even small indulgences increasingly out of reach for the average consumer. Medicine prices have skyrocketed as well, making healthcare unaffordable for many. Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have voiced their frustration over the government’s empty promises.

Speaking to ‘The News’, citizens lamented that the entire government apparatus seems to be operating solely on ‘paperwork’ rather than taking any meaningful action to address inflation. “The current government is merely building castles in the air. Beyond speeches, there is nothing to show,” they bemoaned, expressing their disillusionment with the government's inability to bring real relief to the people.