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EditorialBrace for a tough Ramazan

Brace for a tough Ramazan

So it’s Ramazan, which means commodity prices will rise, as they do every year throughout the holy month. But, the price increase this year will be at a different level. In most other regions of the world, prices of daily-use items fall during Ramazan to help customers. But, it is a different scenario in Pakistan.

During Ramadan, several everyday commodities, including gramme flour, milk, cooking oil, sugar, various fruits and vegetables, and poultry, witness a spike in demand. But, in our country, these commodities are out of reach for the average person. They have no choice because there are no substitutes for these things. They must either cut their usage or stop using them entirely.

Yet, unlike last year, the current year has seen record inflation, lowering the purchasing power of many people significantly. A substantial number of people have lost their jobs or had their income reduced. Despite price increases, many people’s incomes have remained constant for years.

It would not be incorrect to suggest that Pakistanis would have the most difficult Ramazan in history owing to financial constraints.

Many households, with static or reduced incomes, would find it difficult to meet kitchen expenses amid skyrocketing prices. According to price comparison data of the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) during the first week of Ramazan in April 2022 to a day before this holy month, the cost of a 20kg flour bag has risen to Rs1,295-3,100 in various parts of the country, compared to Rs800-1,500 last year. Similarly, onions were being sold at Rs100-200 compared to Rs40-80 per kg last Ramazan.

Pulses also saw a major increase in prices. The cost of Gram Pulse (Daal Channa) rose to Rs220-320 from Rs148-200 per kg, Masoor, Moong and Mash was available for Rs240-330, Rs250-350, and Rs280-480 per kg, respectively, compared to Rs190-240, Rs116-220, and Rs200-310 per kg last Ramazan.

Five litres of Dalda cooking oil were available for between Rs3,000 to Rs3,510.

In the same way, fresh milk and live poultry saw a surge in prices too. Fresh milk was being sold between Rs120-210 per litre compared to Rs90-150 a year earlier, whereas the rate of 1kg live poultry hovered between Rs360-550 per kg compared to Rs240-350. Mutton and beef were available at Rs1,100-1,800 and Rs500-900, respectively, compared to Rs1,050-1,500 and Rs350-750 per kg earlier. There was a considerable increase in the prices of potato, basmati rice, white channa, tea, salt and vermicelli.

Potato prices increased to Rs40-100 per kg from Rs25-60 per kg; sugar prices increased to Rs100-110 from Rs83-95; basmati rice prices increased to Rs300-500 per kg from Rs150-300; white Chana prices increased to Rs400-450 per kg from Rs250; and tea prices increased to Rs413-558 from Rs250-260. As per data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the inflation rate in February rose to 47 per cent in rural areas and 41.9 per cent in urban areas.

Many welfare organizations provide food packages to low-income people, and then some serve Iftar to them as well. But, how many white-collar families have we seen lining up to get the giveaways? The ultimate sufferers are those who cannot seek help and have to make ends meet themselves. It is therefore the government’s responsibility to provide relief to these people during these pressing times.

Will the government pay heed, the chances are minimal. But, let’s hope that for once the appeal does not fall on deaf ears.

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