KARACHI: The Karachi commissioner has increased the official rates of various varieties of roti by Rs2 to Rs4 per piece amid an unprecedented surge in flour prices.

According to the commissioner’s website, the new rate of chapati (100 grams) has been fixed at Rs16 per piece, compared to Rs14, while different varieties of tandoori naan (120g, 140-150g and 180g) have been fixed at Rs21, Rs25 and Rs30, compared to Rs18, Rs21 and Rs27 in February 2026.

However, the actual market prices of chapati, naan, sheermal, taftan and kulcha are much higher compared to what the commissioner notified on Monday.

The decision came even after millers had last week agreed to reduce the ex-mill price of a kilogram of flour by Rs6.

As consumers are already paying higher prices, a hike of Rs2 to Rs4 per roti may not prove to be a big burden for them due to various reasons. Firstly, consumers never find the official price list at tandoor shops and many owners display their own price list without mentioning the weight of the roti.

Secondly, there is no weighing scale available at tandoor shops where consumers can check the weight and price. On the other hand, consumers are usually in a hurry to take hot rotis to enjoy with food.

Consumers have already witnessed a jump of Rs5 to Rs10 in per piece prices of chapati, naan, sheermal, taftan and kulcha, which are available at Rs20, Rs30-35, Rs100-110 and Rs90-100.

A representative of the All Sindh Tandoor Sheermal House Association said the commissioner did not contact the association before issuing the new price list.

Many consumers believe the commissioner and his team are only performing official formalities rather than taking practical steps to check the weight of roti, the absence of official price lists, non-implementation of official rates and non-availability of weighing scales at tandoor shops.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2026