KARACHI: Despite tall claims by the price regulator to deal with overcharging retailers with an iron fist, consumers faced the same challenging situation, like previous years, on the first day of Ramazan when they went to market to purchase food items for Iftar and Sehri.

Even though rates of almost all food essentials have been fixed by the commissioner of Karachi, shopkeepers in the metropolis were selling all the items on exorbitant prices spoiling consumers’ appetite.

Fruit vendors were charging Rs250-300 per dozen for bananas. The official rate was Rs148 a dozen.

Melons and guavas (Larkana) were selling at Rs150-200 and Rs200-250, compared to an official rate of Rs86 and Rs130 per kg.

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The official rates of apple (Golden) and (Kullu) were Rs219 and Rs158 per kg, but these varieties were hardly available anywhere at the official rates as retailers were demanding Rs300-400 and Rs250-300 per kg, respectively for them.

Watermelon price has been fixed at Rs69 per kg. But was sold at Rs150 per kg.

Oranges were being sold at Rs500 per dozen against its official rate of Rs386.

Vegetables

The official prices of........

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