After a continuous rise in tomato prices, there has been a decline in local markets in Peshawar as of Tuesday. According to the local vegetable market, tomato prices have decreased from Rs 700 per kilogram to Rs 400 per kilogram.
Like many other areas across the country, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, is experiencing severe inflation, making essential food items increasingly unaffordable. The prices of various items, including flour, pulses, rice, meat, and tomatoes, are all rising.
In Mohmand district, different markets are setting varying rates for food items. Residents have expressed frustration over the district administration’s failure to display price lists, leaving people uncertain about where to turn in these challenging economic times.
Meanwhile, in Lower Dir district, the prices of vegetables and fruits have also skyrocketed due to a viral infection that has adversely affected the tomato crop, significantly reducing production. Additionally, the closure of the border has impacted supply, leading to tomato prices ranging from Rs 350 to Rs 450. In contrast, prices for grapes, pomegranates, and onions have tripled. Although the ban on flour supply from Punjab has been lifted, prices remain high, forcing people to purchase expensive flour. In various markets, a 20 kg bag of flour is being sold for up to Rs 2,900. Residents are urging the district administration to take effective measures to control inflation, as it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the well-being of the people.
In Haripur district, tomato prices have become uncontrollable, with vegetable dealers setting arbitrary rates between Rs 350 and Rs 400 per kilogram, despite the official price being Rs 335. Additionally, due to the suspension of flour and wheat supplies from Punjab, a 20 kg bag of flour has reached Rs 3,200. The local administration has taken no action against vegetable vendors, prompting calls for the government to intervene.
Read also: Tomatoes out of reach as prices hit Rs 300 per kg in Peshawar
In Nowshera, the price of a 20 kg bag of flour has climbed to Rs 2,800. There is a noticeable lack of practical measures from the government, with neither the administration nor any representatives addressing the crisis. The ongoing inflation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is causing serious hardships for the poor, who are compelled to purchase flour at exorbitant prices. Living conditions are becoming increasingly difficult for these individuals.
