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Looking for bargains at Islamabad’s weekly bazaars

"It might be the holy month of Ramazan, but the price hike we are facing this month is unholy."
Published June 29, 2015
Controlled rates are displayed at each stall. The rates are lower than the open-market price, but they vary from day-to-day, depending on the prices set by the wholesalers.
Controlled rates are displayed at each stall. The rates are lower than the open-market price, but they vary from day-to-day, depending on the prices set by the wholesalers.

“It might be the holy month of Ramazan, but the price hike we are facing this month is unholy,” exclaims an angry customer at the H-9 weekly bazaar. His sentiments match those of many others who head to the Capital Development Authority (CDA)-managed markets to do their weekly grocery shopping.

Much like every other year, prices of fruits and vegetables rise by about 30 to 50 percent in Ramazan. The CDA-run weekly bazaars are the only places in the capital where controlled rates are enforced, providing some respite to consumers. Here, the prices are pre-determined and displayed at each stall, but even here, they vary from day to day.

The shopkeepers buy their fruit and vegetables from the wholesale market, where the middleman who arranges their purchase keeps a 7 per cent cut, which determines the price. Many shopkeepers express their frustration with being forced to sell their product at a lower-than-market price. But the upshot, they say, is that they get more customers at the weekly bazaars than out on the street.

Nearly everyone who comes to the bazaar complains that the price hike has made food unaffordable.

Families find it increasingly difficult to manage their kitchens, especially when everyone wants the Iftar spread to include their favourite items. Mangoes and potatoes are the most popular items sold here, but by and large, people buy more fruits in Ramazan than vegetables.

Mohammad Munir, 20, says he had to change his selection of vegetables for Ramazan. “I picked up a different assortment of vegetables to ensure good sale. Tomatoes, ginger and garlic are basic ingredients so even if the prices go up, customers still have to buy them.”
Mohammad Munir, 20, says he had to change his selection of vegetables for Ramazan. “I picked up a different assortment of vegetables to ensure good sale. Tomatoes, ginger and garlic are basic ingredients so even if the prices go up, customers still have to buy them.”
Shakeel writes the day’s fresh rates on a slate at his stall. “The prices of vegetables have gone down because apart from those used in pakoras, not many people cook vegetables in Ramazan. This has driven sales down too.”
Shakeel writes the day’s fresh rates on a slate at his stall. “The prices of vegetables have gone down because apart from those used in pakoras, not many people cook vegetables in Ramazan. This has driven sales down too.”
Fida Tanoli haggles with a watermelon vendor. “My family likes to have watermelon juice for Iftar everyday as it is very refreshing, but fruit has become very expensive in Ramazan. But  then, no Iftar is complete without them.”
Fida Tanoli haggles with a watermelon vendor. “My family likes to have watermelon juice for Iftar everyday as it is very refreshing, but fruit has become very expensive in Ramazan. But then, no Iftar is complete without them.”
Arsalan, 9, walks around with a wheelbarrow, looking for customers to hire him to carry their groceries. “Lots of people come here to shop. I make around Rs 400 a day. I keep Rs 20 to Rs 30 for ice cream and give the rest to my mother.”
Arsalan, 9, walks around with a wheelbarrow, looking for customers to hire him to carry their groceries. “Lots of people come here to shop. I make around Rs 400 a day. I keep Rs 20 to Rs 30 for ice cream and give the rest to my mother.”
Samina complains of skyrocketing prices as she examines bananas at the weekly market. “There should be controlled prices everywhere in city and not just here. It’s cruel that retailers increase fruit prices so much during Ramazan that we have to pick and choose fruits to put in the fruit chaat at Iftar time.”— Photos by the writer
Samina complains of skyrocketing prices as she examines bananas at the weekly market. “There should be controlled prices everywhere in city and not just here. It’s cruel that retailers increase fruit prices so much during Ramazan that we have to pick and choose fruits to put in the fruit chaat at Iftar time.”— Photos by the writer

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2015

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