KARACHI: While rates of everyday use items have already gone up in markets, the city administration has fixed the prices of essential commodities for Ramazan.

However, no serious effort appears to have been made to check the soaring rates.

The majority of retailers, especially fruit vendors, always ignore the official price list, terming it “unrealistic”.

As a result, the end users pay more than the double official rate.

The authorities claim the prices for Ramazan have been fixed in consultation with chairman of Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA) Rauf Ibrahim, representatives of vegetable and fruits traders, Chairman of Consumer Rights Protection Council Shakeel Beg, deputy commissioners, senior officials from the bureau of supply and the food department.

As an annual practice, meat retailers have already increased the prices.

The price of veal meat (boneless) has already surged to Rs1,700-1,800 per kilo from Rs1,600.

Surprisingly, the city government’s new rate of veal meat (boneless) is fixed at Rs1,600 a kg.

Similarly, the price of veal with bones has been fixed at Rs1,300 but retailers demand Rs1,400kg.

The new official rate of mutton is Rs2,200 per kg, but consumers have already witnessed a price jump. The meat is selling at Rs2,400-2,600 per kg.

The new prices of chapati 100 grams, tandoori naan 120 grams, tandoori naan 140-150grams and tandoori naan 180 grams have been set at Rs14, Rs18, Rs21 and Rs27 per piece, respectively.

With few tandoor operators showing the rates and weight at their shops, the current price of chapati is Rs15 while tandoor naan is selling at Rs25-30 per piece.

Consumers do not know about the weight of the roti varieties.

On February 6, 2026, as per the website of commissioner of Karachi, the retail rates of flour No 2.5, fine flour and Chakki flour were fixed at Rs107, Rs115 and Rs130 per kg. However, flour No 2.5 is currently available at Rs130 followed by Rs140 for fine flour and Rs150-160 per kg for Chakki flour.

On February 14, the official sugar retail rate was fixed at Rs138 but consumers are purchasing it at Rs145-160 per kg in the market.

Grocery items

The new official prices of Mash washed No.1, gram pulse No.1, Kabuli Channa (8mm) black gram No.1 and Baisan (gram pulse) are Rs420, Rs230, Rs325, Rs215 and Rs230 per kg.

In contrast, Baisan is priced between Rs280-400 per kg followed by black gram and Kabuli Channa at Rs300 and Rs400 per kg. Mash is available at Rs420-500 per kg.

The high quality potato samosa 60 grams and Qeema samosa (35 grams) rates have been fixed at Rs40 each while one Pakora Mix and Jaleebi have been fixed at Rs640 and Rs580, while the rate of Pheeni and Khajla is Rs845 per kg.

A statement from the commissioner office said that meetings were held with relevant authorities and traders’ representatives to discuss the matter.

The process of fixing prices took into account city rates and current prices.

The commissioner’s office issued separate lists for groceries, nimko, bakery items, naan and chapati, and beef and mutton.

Meanwhile, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has issued directives to all deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners to enforce the prices of food items during Ramazan. Superstores have also been asked to set up Ramazan Counters to ensure quality items at reasonable prices.

It was decided that explanations will be sought from officials showing lack of interest in performing their duties.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026