Unbearable Burden on Citizens as Flour and Ghee Prices Continue to Soar
Flour and wheat have become luxuries beyond the reach of ordinary citizens in Peshawar. Despite the recent wheat harvest, the price of flour has soared to unprecedented levels, pushing the limits of the citizens’ resilience. A 20 kg bag of flour, a basic necessity for most households, is now being sold at a mind-boggling Rs 3,750 in the open market. This staggering increase in price has left the average citizen grappling with the harsh realities of survival.
To compound the problem, local bakers have also joined the trend of exploiting the desperate situation. Loaves of bread, once a staple food for many, have shrunk drastically in size while their prices have skyrocketed. The sight of very light bread, now weighing less but costing more, has become all too familiar in the markets of Peshawar. A meager loaf, barely enough to satisfy a hungry stomach, is now being sold for Rs 40 in many areas. This cruel turn of events has left the citizens in a state of despair, struggling to afford even the most basic sustenance.
Helplessness of Authorities: Flour Prices Reach New Heights
The district administration, along with the provincial and federal government, seems to be at a loss when it comes to controlling the escalating prices of flour and ghee. Despite their promises to take action and alleviate the burden on the citizens, the cost of these essential commodities continues to rise unchecked. The marketplaces of Peshawar have turned into a battleground where the survival of the fittest prevails, and the poor are left to fend for themselves.
The plight of the citizens is worsened by the presence of opportunistic dealers and the influential flour, ghee, and sugar mafia. Exploiting the government’s inaction, these unscrupulous entities manipulate the supply and demand dynamics, further driving up prices and exacerbating the suffering of the people. As the citizens struggle to make ends meet, their faith in the authorities erodes, leaving them disillusioned and desperate for respite from this seemingly endless ordeal.