Profiteers tighten grip as Punjab’s Ramazan Relief Package leaves majority behind

Rawalpindi:Rawalpindi With the absence of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC), Fair Price Shops (FPS), and ‘Ramazan Sasta Bazaars,’ profiteers and hoarders are gearing up to exploit the public during the upcoming holy month of Ramazan. Taking advantage of weak enforcement, these elements have begun stockpiling essential Ramazan items, particularly fruits such as bananas, apples, dates, and guavas, in cold storage to create artificial shortages and drive up prices.

To provide relief, the Punjab government has announced the Punjab Nigehban Ramazan Package 2025, under which Rs10,000 in cash will be given to three million families out of the province’s total 127 million population. Families eligible for this assistance must register in the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry by February 15.

However, concerns are rising over the limited reach of the package. With only 5% of the population benefiting from the cash relief, many argue that the scheme is inadequate. If Rs10,000 is given to three million families, the total expenditure amounts to Rs30 billion (300 crore). Critics suggest that instead of direct cash transfers to a small fraction of people, the government should use the funds to regulate market prices, ensuring relief for all segments of society, including the lower-middle class.

Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to reconsider the approach. They propose subsidizing essential commodities in regular market shops, allowing a broader section of society to benefit. Many recall that during the previous Ramazan, free wheat flour (Atta) was provided to only 5% of the population, leaving the rest to struggle with rising prices.

Inflation remains a pressing issue across Pakistan, with most families struggling due to the soaring cost of living. Price control magistrates in Rawalpindi have failed to implement market regulations effectively, forcing citizens to fend for themselves.

A recent survey by The News revealed that fruit prices continue to rise sharply. Bananas, once available at Rs150 per dozen, now sell for Rs300 to Rs350. Apples are priced between Rs300 and Rs400 per kg.

Kino costs Rs350 to Rs450 per dozen. Premium quality dates range between Rs800 and Rs1,000 per kg. Vegetables and pulses have also become unaffordable, while butchers continue to overcharge for meat. Mutton is being sold at Rs2,200 per kg, and beef at Rs1,500 per kg. Chicken meat vendors blatantly disregard official price lists, selling at inflated rates. Speaking to The News, Naveed Ahmed Butt, a resident of Sadiqabad, stressed that inflation has affected all segments of society. He urged the Punjab government to inject the allocated funds into market price stabilization instead of restricting relief to a select few.

Similarly, Dr. Uzma Irfan, another citizen, criticized the government's failure to control runaway inflation. She noted that while some prices have seen temporary reductions, the relief is short-lived and unsustainable. She called on authorities to focus on stabilizing the rupee, fuel prices, and gold rates, which directly impact inflation.

Senior citizen Niaz Ahmed Khan lamented that unemployment is compounding financial distress, making it increasingly difficult for families to manage household expenses. "A poor man is not just struggling with inflation but also joblessness. How can families sustain themselves without employment?" he questioned, urging the government to create new job opportunities instead of relying solely on short-term relief measures.

As Ramzan approaches, public frustration is growing. Without effective price control measures and market regulation, profiteers will continue to exploit the masses, making essential items unaffordable for the majority. The Punjab Nigehban Ramzan Package 2025, in its current form, may offer limited relief to a select few, but for the vast majority, the burden of inflation remains unchanged.