KARACHI: Prominent social worker and JDC founder Zafar Abbas has appealed to the people to completely boycott fruits purchasing during the month of Ramadhan as vendors are selling eatables at exorbitant prices as per their own choices.

JDC team along with members of the business community during their visit to fruits market located at Water Pump area in the metropolis were shocked to hear about the current prices of fruits being sold in the local markets. Zafar Abbas appealed to all the Karachiites to immediately boycott fruits purchasing as vendors have taken the prices of fruits to an excessive rates which is beyond the reach of common man and also the fruits which are being sold in different markets are not in accordance with the price list as set by the government and the Commissioner Office.

Vendors are dead busy in selling fruits as per their own choices while at the same time setting in the air the directives of the government without any fear.

General Secretary of All Karachi Tajir Association and a well-known businessman Faizan Rawat also joined the protest drive by JDC and fervently backed Zafar Abbas on stance of boycotting fruits purchasing throughout Ramazan. Also, another known business figure of Karachi Asad Hanif announced boycotting fruits till 4 days until 5th Ramazan from today.

Faizan also asked the public to raise their voice against such malpractices and stop buying fruits that will ultimately bring the vendors to a considerable loss on account of such injudicious act in the month of Ramazan.

Time when already inflation in the country is sky-rocketing, under such circumstances people belonging to middle and lower middle class cannot afford to buy fruits at such high prices. Price of banana is starting from Rs.151 as per government issued list, but being sold at Rs.450 per dozen in the local market, an average apple rate Rs.173 but being sold at Rs.600 per dozen, melon rate in light of government issued list is Rs.123 but being sold at Rs.200, good quality oranges rate prescribed by the government list is Rs.253 but being sold at Rs.653 in the local market.

On the other hand, when asked from the vendor about this hike in prices of fruits, he grieved that we are not getting the fruits at low rates due to which cannot sell it in accordance with the list issued by the Commissioner’s Office.

Zafar Abbas also highlighted that in order to make a complete recipe of fruit chat for a single family of around 5 people, total estimated cost will be around Rs.2675/- per day which is without any doubt an ‘abnormal’ condition of the existing markets and the vendors in Karachi.

It must be mentioned here that unless stern action is taken against such vendors, hoarders by the competent authorities the prices will not come to any low in Ramazan. Also, proper monitoring and imposition of the penalties on hoarders by the respective Assistant Commissioners of all districts on routine basis is the need of the hour.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 25 2023

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