August 25, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 22, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: Local administration has promised to keep the prices stable during Ramazan but the signs are different.

Housewives who went to the city’s local and weekly markets on Sunday to do pre-Ramazan shopping found that traders had already raised the prices of kitchen items most consumed during the holy month, likely to begin on September 2.

A general rise of up to 35 per cent was noticed by the inflation-hit buyers who keep a close watch on the price trends. Potatoes and onions, two vegetables that are in great demand during Ramazan and could be stored, sold for Rs31.60 and Rs30 per kg, respectively, in the Sunday bazaar where consumer items are usually sold at wholesale rates. Other vegetables and fruits also sold dearer.

Market watchers believe the prices of consumer items will go up further by the time the holy month begins as the wholesalers and stockists have squeezed the supply of these items.

Compared to last Ramazan, prices of almost all consumer items have risen by 100 per cent. Demand of food items and beverages increases in the holy month during which the Muslim majority of the country fasts and feasts. Potatoes are consumed in big quantity during Ramazan for making special snacks like Pakoras, Samosas, Dahi Bhallay, Chat.

A week ago 5kg of potatoes were available for Rs135 in the open market and Rs110 in the weekly bazaars. On Sunday the same quantity was being sold for Rs175 in the open market and Rs158 in the weekly Sunday bazaar.

Similarly, onions saw an increase of Rs15 in one week - Rs150 per 5 kg in the Sunday bazaars and Rs170 per 5kg in the retail market.

Tomatoes, another item of high demand during Ramazan, jumped from last week’s Rs30 per kg to Rs34 in Sunday bazaar and from Rs40 per kg to Rs50 in the retail markets.

Chicken sold for Rs101 per kg in the weekly bazaars on Sunday and Rs110 to Rs120 at the retail level. Dates, a special item for Ramazan, being sold at Rs100 to Rs140 per kg in the open was available at Rs80 to Rs100 per kg in the weekly bazaars.

Shortage of Atta (wheat flour) being experienced in Islamabad for some time is likely to worsen during Ramazan, irrespective of the local administration's assurances that it will ensure its sufficient supply.

Price of Besan (ground gram), another commodity in great demand during the holy month, has also gone up in the open market from Rs40 per kg to Rs55 per kg.

Compared to last Sunday, the price of Dal Chana rose by Rs6 in the retail market in a week to Rs76 per kg. Dal Moong is being sold at Rs65 per kg against its previous rate of Rs58 per kg.

Similarly white grams, being sold for Rs64 per kg in the retail market last week, was available at Rs70 per kg on Sunday.