INFLATION REALITY CHECK: Rising costs, fading hopes leave public frustrated

Rawalpindi : The government’s claim that Pakistan is experiencing its lowest inflation in four years was met with outrage on Sunday, as inflation-burdened citizens expressed strong dissatisfaction with what they see as a misleading narrative. Contrary to the government’s statements, the public is reeling from soaring prices and the elimination of subsidies, especially at Utility Stores Corporation (USC), which many viewed as the last hope for relief. The stores, once a lifeline for low-income families, now stand largely abandoned as subsidies end, leaving even Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries without aid.

For over a year, essential goods have reached record-breaking prices, adding strain to household budgets. Currently, 1 kilogram of mutton costs between Rs2,200 and Rs2,500, beef is priced at Rs1,200 to Rs1,500, and chicken ranges from Rs650 to Rs760 per kilogram. Everyday cooking staples have also surged in price: ginger has increased from Rs460 to Rs800 per kilogram, garlic from Rs400 to Rs600, and onions from Rs100 to Rs160. Milk, too, is now priced at Rs220 to Rs240 per litre, up from Rs180 to Rs 200. Despite these hikes, the government insists inflation has fallen, citing data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) which reports a 6.9 per cent inflation rate in September, down from 9.6% in August, marking the lowest Consumer Price Index (CPI) since January 2024.

A survey conducted by ‘The News’ revealed that these government claims feel like "a cruel joke" to citizens, as costs for key items have risen instead of decreased. In recent months, potatoes rose from Rs100 to Rs130 per kilogram, and tomatoes shot up from Rs60 to Rs130. The ongoing trend of fluctuating and rising prices is creating an overwhelming financial burden, especially on the middle class.

Vegetable prices have skyrocketed, with 1 kilogram of green peas (matar) at Rs430, arvi at Rs 190, pumpkin (kadoo) at Rs170, cabbage at Rs140, round gourd (tenda) at Rs150, and eggplant (bengan) at Rs150. Pulses are priced like “gold,” with wholesale dealers hiking costs by Rs40 to Rs100 per kilogram across all types.

Butchers and poultry sellers, meanwhile, continue to charge exorbitant rates, leaving the government’s statement of “low inflation” feeling hollow to the public. Milk and yogurt prices remain at record highs, and cooking essentials like ghee and oil are unaffordable, with 1 kilogram of ghee selling at Rs510 and 1 litre of cooking oil at Rs570. Even basic bakery items, candies, biscuits, and sweets are now luxury items for many families. Shafiq Qureshi, President of the Rawalpindi Naanbais Welfare Association (RNWA), highlighted that despite Punjab’s latest increase of Rs80 on a 20-kilogram bag of wheat flour, naanbais are pressured to keep roti prices fixed at Rs14 each. “The government is detached from the reality of our costs,” he remarked.

Seasonal fruits have also become inaccessible, with quality apples now priced at Rs200 to Rs250 per kilogram and grapes at Rs400. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), intended to be sold at Rs254 per kilogram, is being black-marketed at Rs310, adding to household expenses. Citizens like Muhammad Nisar Ahmed expressed deep disappointment, saying, “The government has failed to provide any relief and continues to mislead us about inflation.”

Aroosa Tariq, a homemaker, shared her frustration, stating, “The government’s rosy picture of inflation is far from reality. Families are selling household items just to afford basic food.” Similarly, Muhammad Arif, decried the government’s habit of “habitual lying,” calling attention to the added strain of rising unemployment due to downsizing and rightsizing in public sector organisations. He urged the government to focus on practical measures to alleviate public suffering rather than issuing statements that ignore the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.