Households across Pakistan are struggling to cope with a sharp 30-40% rise in essential commodity prices, as inflation continues to hit every facet of daily life. Despite efforts by the government to curb rising costs, the impact has been relentless, with citizens facing ever-higher prices for basic goods.
One of the more deceptive tactics by manufacturers has been reducing the quantity of packaged items while maintaining or even increasing prices. For example, a 1-kilogram pack of tea now weighs only 900 grams, and similar reductions have been made to flour and other staple items. The cost to consumers, however, remains unchanged, leaving many feeling squeezed by these practices.
Also Read: Roti Prices Rise by Rs5 Due to Inflation
A year-over-year comparison paints a grim picture of price escalation. In January 2024, rice sold for Rs280 per kilogram but now costs Rs380. Ghee has increased from Rs450 to Rs550, while cooking oil rose from Rs500 to Rs560. Pulses such as Black Lentils surged from Rs350 to Rs560 per kilogram. The price of a simple cup of tea has jumped from Rs50 to Rs80.
Fuel price hikes have exacerbated the situation, with petrol and diesel costs driving up transportation and supply chain expenses. According to Saleem Pervaiz Butt, President of the Central Grocery Merchants Association, inflation is driven by rising fuel prices, government taxes, and the depreciating rupee, with no signs of relief on the horizon.
Meanwhile, initiatives like Punjab’s “Sasta Sahulat Bazaars,” designed to provide discounted goods, have largely failed. The closure of several subsidized markets due to mismanagement has left many consumers without access to affordable essentials, and official price lists have become unreliable as market rates surpass them by Rs40 to Rs100.
