Inflation Remains Unchecked in Quetta Despite Fuel Price Cuts, Food Prices Stay at Record Highs

Quetta: Despite a significant reduction in petroleum and diesel prices across Pakistan, inflation continues to burden residents of Quetta, where the prices of food items, vegetables, fruits, grains, and meat remain at exceptionally high levels.

According to a special report, consumers have yet to receive any relief from lower fuel costs, as retailers and wholesale markets have largely maintained previous prices. Citizens say the government’s reduction in fuel prices has not translated into lower market rates, further increasing financial pressure on households.

Vegetable prices remain particularly high in the provincial capital. Tomatoes are being sold at Rs200 per kilogram, cauliflower at Rs200 per kilogram, peas at Rs400 per kilogram, garlic at Rs600 per kilogram, ginger at Rs700 per kilogram, lemons at Rs300 per kilogram, eggplants at Rs150 per kilogram, and green chilies at Rs250 per kilogram. Spinach is available at Rs80 per bundle.

Prices of essential food commodities and pulses have also remained elevated. Basmati rice is selling for Rs400 per kilogram, chickpea lentils at Rs300 per kilogram, black gram lentils at Rs450 per kilogram, and Kabuli chickpeas at Rs550 per kilogram. Cooking oil has reached Rs480 per kilogram, while ghee is being sold at Rs520 per kilogram. A 20-kilogram flour bag is priced at around Rs2,800.

Fruit prices have also remained high, with watermelon selling at Rs80 per kilogram, bananas at Rs200 per dozen, Sindhri mangoes at Rs200–250 per kilogram, apricots at Rs400 per kilogram, and peaches at Rs150 per kilogram. Cherries from Ziarat are being sold at Rs1,000 per kilogram, while Gilgit cherries have reached Rs1,400 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, meat prices continue to rise beyond the reach of many consumers. Beef is being sold at Rs1,700 per kilogram, bone-in beef at Rs1,500 per kilogram, and mutton at between Rs3,000 and Rs3,200 per kilogram. Live chicken is priced at around Rs450 per kilogram, while chicken meat is selling between Rs500 and Rs550 per kilogram.

Residents have urged the Quetta administration, including the commissioner and deputy commissioner, to activate price control mechanisms, ensure implementation of official price lists, and take strict action against profiteers and those accused of manipulating market prices.