- The prices of food items have almost doubled compared to last year
- Islamabad most expensive city of the country
By Atif Khan
The prices of food items have almost doubled compared to last year. With an additional hike of up to 20 percent, Islamabad remained the most expensive city in the country during the month of November 2022.
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data, the highest increase was seen in the price of onions on a year-to-year basis in the essential item category in the country. During the month of November, the one kilogram price exceeded Rs. 219 in Islamabad, whereas in Larkana it was being sold at Rs. 148.63. Onions were sold at an average rate of Rs. 176 during the month of November this year. Onions were sold for Rs 45 per kg last year.
The price of one kilogram of tomatoes increased from Rs. 132 to Rs. 203 as compared to November last year. Pulse gram jumped from Rs 147 to Rs 233 per kg, pulse mash increased from 247 to 366, and cooking oil (Dalda, Habib) increased from Rs 381.66 to Rs. 527.91 per kg. During the last year, petrol prices jumped from Rs. 144.70 to Rs. 225.
Wheat flour, the most essential food item, was sold at Rs. 2143.25 in Khuzdar and Rs. 2000 in Quetta, during the last month. The same 20 kg flour bag would have cost Rs. 1200 in November 2021.
Chicken prices jumped from Rs 255.60 per kg last year to Rs 283 on average during November this year. In Quetta and Karcahi, it was priced between Rs 290-300 per kg, while in Bahawalpur, it was sold at Rs 255 per kg, during the previous month.
During the past month, the prices of beef were lowest in Peshawar, at Rs. 580 per kg, while the highest prices were recorded in Islamabad. During November 2022, average quality beef was sold in the capital for Rs. 808 per kg. In November last year, the average quality beef price was Rs. 570 per kg.
Mutton prices in Islamabad have risen from Rs 1145.15 per kg to Rs 1657 in the last year. The lowest rates of mutton were recorded in Bannu, where it was being sold for Rs. 1100 per kg. The price of loose milk increased from Rs 112 to Rs 145. In Islamabad, it was sold at Rs 160 per kg during the last month. Egg rates increased from Rs 183 to Rs 260, as compared to November last year.
Many fruit and vegetable prices have nearly doubled in comparison to last year. Banana prices per dozen, for example, remained around Rs. 172 in Islamabad. In Faisalabad bananas were sold for around Rs 80. Bananas were priced at Rs. 68 per dozen in November last year.
Potato rates jumped from Rs 60 per kg, last year to Rs. 98 during the last month in Islamabad. Last month, the lowest price of potatoes was seen in Larkana, where it was sold for Rs. 50 per kg. LPG 12 kg cylinder prices in Islamabad increased from Rs. 2500 in November 2021 to Rs. 2725 in November 2022. In the last month, prices for chilli powder and refined sugar in the country have fallen slightly.
Hosiery, stationery, and other items also saw an increase of up to 50 percent, whereas Islamabad saw an additional increase in prices of most of the items of up to 20 percent.
The increase in food and non-food items is blamed on floods. Recent floods destroyed perishable items. The second factor that has increased commodity inter-city transportation costs is rising fuel prices. The exorbitant price in Islamabad is solely due to the administration's negligence.
Rents:
Rents in Islamabad almost doubled during the last year. Last year, the rent of a 2-bedroom flat in G-11 was Rs 30,000 per month. The rent for the same apartment increased to Rs 50,000 this year. Housing is a serious problem in the capital, as CDA has failed to launch new residential sectors to accommodate the city's growing population.
Read PBS Monthly Price Indices Report November 2022
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