RAWALPINDI: The District Price Control Committee (DPCC) on Saturday failed to issue a new price list for essential food items after traders objected to implementing revised rates following the recent increase in petroleum prices.
A meeting of the DPCC was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Rawalpindi under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Maliha Sehar.
The meeting was attended by representatives of relevant government departments, Anjuman-i-Tajran, wholesalers, retailers’ associations, the Milk Association, Butchers’ Association, Nanbai Association, Poultry Association, civil society members and consumer representatives.
The secretary of the District Price Control Committee briefed participants on the latest wholesale and retail price trends of essential food items. Following a detailed discussion, the committee unanimously approved revised retail prices for pulses to strike a balance between market realities and consumer interests.
The committee also reviewed the retail prices of milk and yoghurt but failed to finalise them. It directed the dairy association and representatives of the Punjab Food Authority to ensure the uninterrupted supply of quality milk and dairy products across the district while maintaining food safety standards.
During the meeting, the additional deputy commissioner also heard concerns raised by the Nanbai Association and Butchers’ Association and assured them that their issues would be considered in line with prevailing market conditions and government policy.
The administration also assured representatives of wholesale and retail grocery associations that all price control magistrates would be sensitised to conduct inspections in accordance with prescribed quality standards and officially notified prices of essential food items, ensuring transparent enforcement while protecting the interests of both consumers and traders.
Rawalpindi Karyana Association President Saleem Pervaiz told Dawn that the prices of milk, yoghurt and meat had not been finalised because of a wide gap between market rates and the prices fixed by the district administration.
He said petroleum product prices had been changing frequently and transporters had increased freight charges, making it difficult for retailers to implement the official prices of essential food items.
According to him, milk is being sold at Rs260 per litre and yoghurt at Rs280 per kilogram, while the official prices are Rs180 per litre and Rs200 per kilogram, respectively.
Mutton is available at Rs3,200 per kilogram and beef at Rs1,800 per kilogram, compared with the official prices of Rs1,800 per kilogram for mutton and Rs900 per kilogram for beef.
Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026