KARACHI: Despite the city administration’s issuing a price list for essential commodities, retailers continue to sell items at blatantly higher rates in Ramazan.

The situation exposes government officials’ efforts to contain the skyrocketing price hike. Resultantly, consumers are paying the price due to the officials’ ineffective measures.

Pushcart fruit vendors and vegetable sellers sell items without having any official price lists.

Banana vendors are selling the fruit at Rs200-300 per dozen while the official price states the price as Rs237.

Fruits, vegetables and meat are being sold at prices set by vendors at their own whims; officials auction items confiscated from vendors as a penalty

Only the cheap quality bananas are being sold at Rs150 per dozen. Melons (kharbooza) appear to be in short supply and lack good quality. However, consumers are paying Rs300 per kg as against its official rate of Rs262 per kg.

Many retailers do not lift melons from the wholesale market due its unaffordable price.

Another fast selling item of Ramazan, guava, is selling at Rs200-300 against its controlled rate of Rs150-152 per kg.

The official prices of apple (golden) and (Kullu) have been fixed at Rs340 and Rs239 but retailers are selling Rs400-500 and Rs250-300 per kg, respectively.

Watermelon is sold at Rs 150-180 as against its official price of Rs115 per kg. Good-quality and big-sized oranges (mossami) are being sold at Rs300-400 per dozen against its official rate of Rs136.

The official price of Cheeko is fixed at Rs150, but retailers are demanding Rs250-300 per kg.

Vegetables

Onion and potato, the most sought after items, carry official prices of Rs35 and Rs23 per kg. However, they are being sold at Rs50-60 and Rs40-50 per kg.

The retail rate of tomato is Rs70-80 as against the officially fixed rate of Rs58 per kg.

Cabbage, which is widely used for making chicken rolls, is available at Rs100-120 a kilo as against the official price of Rs35 per kg. The official retail rates of capsicum and spinach are Rs115 and Rs29 per kg, but consumers pay Rs200 and Rs50-80 per kg, respectively.

Green onion is available at Rs200-300 per kg while the official rate is Rs173. Ginger and garlic are selling at Rs500-600 per kg while their official rates are Rs311 and Rs265 per kg, respectively.

Meat rates

The official retail rates of live broiler chicken and its meat (without giblets) have been fixed at Rs332 and Rs500 per kg while they are selling at Rs400 and Rs550-600 per kg, respectively.

Price checking campaign

During the first five days of the holy month, 1,180 profiteers were fined of over Rs 10 million. In total, the officials checked the prices at 4,221 locations, while seven profitreers shops were sealed followed by arrest of seven retailers and sealing of 10 shops.

Auction of confiscated items

As a penalty, officials also confiscate items from vendors for overpricing and then auction them on the spot among the public. Magistrates supervised the sale of essential commodities at official rates at 533 locations.

Commissioner of Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi has established three monitoring teams to oversee efforts to prevent overpricing and strictly enforce official prices, and to support magistrates tasked with checking prices.

All districts have been divided into three regions. Around 52 complaint centres, including the commissioner office, have been formed.

Besides, magisterial powers have been granted to the officials to curb overpricing.

At least 50 additional officers have been placed at the disposal of the Karachi commissioner specifically for Ramazan duties.

Some 71 superstores have set up Commissioner counters, offering grocery items at official rates. Commissioner Karachi has directed Deputy Commissioners to personally oversee Commissioner counters at superstores and ensure Assistant Commissioners inspect markets and superstores in their areas.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2026