MULTAN: The wave of inflation continues to sweep across Pakistan, pushing the prices of everyday essentials to unprecedented levels.
As the cost of fruits and vegetables reaches alarming heights, the public feels the strain on their household budgets.
According to the latest reports, the price of fruits has surged to Rs 400 per kilogram, while vegetables have climbed to Rs 800 per kilogram. Additionally, the prices of staple commodities such as flour and sugar have also seen significant hikes, with flour prices rising by Rs 20 per kilogram and sugar now costing Rs 165 per kilogram.
The price of open milk has increased to Rs 240 per liter, adding further to the financial burden on households. This increase comes despite assurances from the federal and Punjab governments, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), that inflation rates were under control.
Media sources reveal a worrying trend in the market, with potatoes being sold at Rs 200 per kilogram, onions at Rs 120, and okra at Rs 250 per kilogram. Prices for ginger and garlic stand at Rs 800 and Rs 600 per kilogram, respectively, while other vegetables like peas and capsicum are priced at Rs 400 and Rs 250 per kilogram.
Fruits also face inflationary pressures, with grapes priced at Rs 400 per kilogram and dried plums and pomegranates selling for Rs 300 per kilogram.
The rising costs are not limited to fresh produce. Flour and sugar prices have surged, with government-fixed prices for official flour, previously set at Rs 90 per kilogram, now available only at Rs 110. Tea prices have also seen a substantial increase, compounding the challenges faced by consumers.
Data from the Institute of Statistics paints a bleak picture. The inflation rate has increased for the third consecutive week following the implementation of the federal budget for the financial year 2024-25. The weekly inflation rate has risen by 0.76 percent, bringing the annual inflation rate to a staggering 24.36 percent.
During the past week alone, prices for 29 essential commodities have increased, with only five items showing a decrease in price. This sustained upward trend in inflation is causing widespread concern among the public, who are struggling to keep up with the soaring costs of living.
