Karachi’s official price control appeared to have failed as vegetable vendors sold produce at rates significantly higher than the Commissioner’s price list.
The disparity between the official and market rates ranged from Rs40 to Rs100 per kilogram in various markets across the city.
According to the official price list issued by the Karachi Commissioner’s office, cauliflower was set at Rs40 per kilogram. However, vendors sold it for Rs100.
Potatoes, which should have been priced at Rs80, were reportedly sold at Rs100 to Rs120 per kilogram.
Similarly, onions, listed at Rs92 per kilogram, were sold for Rs150, while green peas, officially priced at Rs144, reached an exorbitant Rs250 per kilogram.
Tomatoes, a kitchen staple, were sold for Rs100 to Rs120 per kilogram, although the commissioner’s list had fixed their price at Rs81. Meanwhile, okra and coriander saw drastic price hikes, with okra being sold at Rs450 per kilogram against the official Rs345, and coriander priced at Rs30 instead of Rs6.
A senior official from the Karachi Commissioner’s office stated, “Efforts are underway to address these violations, but cooperation from both vendors and consumers is essential.”
