LAHORE: The prices of vegetables, fruits and other consumable essentials continue to rise, except at Ramazan Sahulat Bazaars, despite repeated inspections and actions being taken by teams constituted by the Lahore city administration and other departments concerned.

On the other hand, the Ramazan bazaars and other eateries are witnessing a huge rush of people following the start of the holy month of Ramazan from Thursday.

“In open markets, all shopkeepers seem busy fleecing the public at large. Before coming here, I visited an open market near Shadaywal Chowk and saw sky-rocketing prices and massive profiteering on the part of shopkeepers. This left me with no option but to come here and shop,” deplored a man while talking to Dawn at the Johar Town Ramazan Sahulat Bazaar on Friday.

“Thanks God, the prices here are reasonable,” he added.

Vegetables, fruits being sold in open market at more than double rates of Ramazan bazaars

“Is there anyone who can control the artificial price hike in the open market? The answer is no, as if there was anyone, the prices would have been controlled in Ramazan at least,” he said, questioning the government why it failed to do so since it always succeeded in controlling the same in Ramazan or Sunday bazaars.

At present, the prices of vegetables and fruits in the open market are more than double that of the Ramazan bazaars. Potato is being sold at Rs40 to Rs50 in the open market. Similarly, onion is being sold at Rs90, followed by pease at Rs60, ginger at Rs350, garlic Rs750 and tomato around Rs150. Likewise, apple is sold at Rs550, orange Rs450, pomegranate Rs900, banana Rs300 per dozen and guava at Rs300.

Talking to Dawn, a shopkeeper argued that selling fruits or vegetables at the rate of Ramazan bazaar was not possible. “The quantity in which the Ramazan bazaars shopkeepers purchase from the mandi (wholesale market) is much more than what we purchase. Besides this, they have all other facilities such as electricity, rent etc almost free. But we don’t have such facilities,” he explained.

However, an official source in the local administration dispelled the impression, terming the open market vendors’ claim to be false and baseless. “There is no price difference for Ramazan or open bazaar vendors in the wholesale markets. Moreover, they also pay rent and electricity charges in Ramazan bazaars,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, the city administration has launched a comprehensive and effective campaign against shopkeepers involved in price hike, hoarding and other illegalities across the city. A number of teams led by assistant commissioners (ACs) conducted strict surveillance of Lahore’s markets and bazaars, during which inspections were carried out at a total of 3,424 locations, and strict action was taken on the spot against lawbreakers. As a result of this action by the district administration, heavy fines amounting to Rs852,000 were imposed for overcharging, while 11 shops were sealed and 12 cases were registered.

Due to the strict monitoring, according to a spokesperson, prices of essential commodities, specifically chicken meat decreased by Rs15 per kg, carrots by Rs4, and the prices of ladyfinger and ginger saw a decline of Rs5 per kg.

Citizens had been asked to contact the district administration’s social media platforms or the control room immediately in case of any complaint, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2026