ISLAMABAD, Oct 1: Prices of consumer items in Islamabad are costlier than those in Dubai, a comparative survey of prices showed. Dependent on imports for most of the consumer items , the people-friendly approach of the UAE government is reflected in prices of eatables which incidentally are higher in Islamabad despite the fact that Pakistan has an agrarian economy and exports fruits and vegetables.

According to comparison of rates made by Dawn, prices of almost all fruits, vegetables and other consumer items in Islamabad are stated to be higher than those in Dubai.

Dubai is not an agriculture-based country therefore all food items are imported in Dubai from many other countries and despite levying import duty, the rate of eatables are cheaper there than in Pakistan.

It is worth mentioning here that quality of food items available in Dubai is far better than those being sold in Islamabad. The rate of mutton in Islamabad is stated to be Rs250 per kg while according to an advertisement of Al Safeer Groups of Companies (ASGC) published in an international newspaper, fresh Indian mutton in its super store in Dubai is being sold at Rs220 (dirhams 12.95).

The price of beef in Islamabad is Rs150 per kg. The cost of beef has gone up by 30 per cent in the capital within the last one year. Onions are being sold in weekly bazaars for Rs80 and their rate in the open market is Rs120 per 5kg while in Dubai onions are available at Rs75 per kg (dirham 0.95) in Al-Maya Supermarket.

Potatoes are being sold at high rates these days in the capital as their open market rate is Rs24 per kg against Rs16.5 per kg (dirham 1) price in Dubai. The rate of per kg tomatoes is stated to be Rs32 at Friday bazaar in G-9/4 sector and in the open market they are available at Rs48 per kg. In Dubai, tomatoes cost Rs16.5 per kg (dirham 1).

In the fruit side, good quality apples are being sold at Rs50 per kg in weekly bazaar and their rate in other open markets in Islamabad is stated to be Rs60 per kg. In Dubai apples are available at Rs48 (dirhams 2.96) per kg.

Bananas are sold at Rs35 to Rs40 per dozen in Islamabad and they are available in Dubai with their cost of Rs30 per kg. The price of sweet melon is stated to be Rs25 per kg in the capital against their Rs20 per kg rate in Dubai.

The price of good standard vegetable oil is stated to be Rs100 per litre in the capital while in Dubai it is available at Rs40 (Dirhams 2.45) per litre. The manufacturers of packed milk have also increased their prices and now one litre pack of Haleeb and Noorpur milk is being sold at Rs33, an owner of a general store at Peshawar Mor, Nazir Khan, said. However, in Dubai one litre pack of Safa milk is available at Rs32. A wholesale trader said the rate of pulses in the capital were also higher than in Dubai.