The people affected by inflation may feel some relief as the Karachi city administration has announced lower prices for essential items like wheat flour, sugar, naan, and roti, effective immediately and until further notice.
For instance, a tandoori naan weighing 120 grams now costs Rs. 17, while a tandoori roti weighing 100 grams is priced at Rs. 12.
Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, through separate notices issued on Thursday, used his authority under the Essential Commodities Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act 2005 (Amended in 2008 and 2023) to set the ex-mill price of wheat flour at Rs. 90 per kilogram, the wholesale price at Rs. 93 per kilogram, and retail price at Rs. 98 per kilogram.
Additionally, the ex-mill price for fine flour is fixed at Rs. 117 per kilogram, the wholesale price at Rs. 120 per kilogram, and retail price at Rs. 125 per kilogram. The retail price for Chakki flour is set at Rs. 123 per kilogram.
Notably, the wholesale price of sugar is set at Rs. 137 per kilogram, with the retail price fixed at Rs. 140 per kilogram.
All wholesalers, retailers, and department stores must prominently display these prices. Failure to comply will result in strict action against violators.
Although flour mill owners have already reduced the prices of various flour types due to the influx of cheap imported wheat, retailers are not passing on these savings to consumers in full. Similarly, despite the reduction in wheat flour prices, naan and roti sellers have not lowered their prices.