KARACHI, Oct 23: Despite strict warnings of legal actions against profiteers and tall claims by the city government prices of essential commodities during Ramazan in the city remained sky-rocketing both at the permanent markets and shopping centres as well as at the Bachat or Sasta bazaars.According to a survey, the so-called well-managed Ramazan Bachat or Sasta Bazaars of the city government were found full of substandard essential items, including inferior quality juices, soft drinks, biscuits, jams, chips, spices, wheat flour, baking powder, cooking oil and ghee etc.

Most of the citizens complained that in the name of savings, extra amount on almost all the household items, from grocery to meat, fruits, vegetables and other commodities was charged at these makeshift markets in clear violation of the city government’s clear directives.

There was a visible difference in prices of essential commodities at these Bachat and Sasta Bazaars throughout the metropolis, as vendors and stall owners took full advantage of this annual opportunity, like previous years.

It seems that the city government’s campaign against profiteers which mainly targets small vendors and milk shop owners etc has proven futile. The wholesale market rates also witnessed a remarkable increase in prices, as the demand by consumers increased ahead of Eid.—PPI