Karachi Faces High Inflation: Prices of Cooking Oil, Pulses, and Chicken Soar
In Karachi, Pakistan, inflation has caused the prices of essential items like cooking oil, pulses, flour, sugar, milk, and chicken to rise significantly, affecting people’s budgets. The inflation rate has reached over 23%, with prices of pulses increasing by up to PKR 65 per kg and cooking oil by PKR 30-40 per litre. Chicken prices have surged to PKR 600-650 per kg.
According to ARY News, the prices of 25 essential items have increased. For example, black chickpeas, moong dal, dal mash, and dal chana have risen by PKR 65, PKR 60, PKR 50, and PKR 45 per kg respectively. Sugar prices have also increased by PKR 25 to PKR 30 per kg.
The wholesale inflation rate in June reached a 16-month high of 3.36%, a significant rise from below zero in June last year. Chicken, following tin and beef, has become increasingly unaffordable for the common man, with prices reaching PKR 650 per kg after consecutive monthly increases.
Recently, Pakistani residents expressed their anger with skyrocketing inflation and hefty tax duties, which are placing immense financial strain on their daily lives. Essential goods like food, electricity, and gas have become prohibitively expensive, pushing ordinary salaried individuals to the brink of financial instability.
Arif, a Karachi resident, lamented, “Rising prices have made it nearly impossible to make ends meet. Basic necessities such as electricity, water, and food are now out of reach for the average worker. Without reliable access to these essentials and timely salaries, the working class is suffering immensely. The incompetence of government institutions is to blame for this dire situation.”
Doubts Revealed
Karachi -: Karachi is a large city in Pakistan, similar to how Mumbai is a big city in India.
Inflation -: Inflation means that the prices of things we buy, like food and clothes, go up. It makes everything more expensive.
Cooking Oil -: Cooking oil is used to cook food. It can be made from plants like sunflower or mustard.
Pulses -: Pulses are seeds like lentils, beans, and peas that we eat. They are a good source of protein.
Chicken -: Chicken is a type of meat that comes from chickens. It is a common food in many households.
PKR -: PKR stands for Pakistani Rupee, which is the money used in Pakistan. It’s like how we use Indian Rupees (INR) in India.
Government Institutions -: Government institutions are parts of the government that help run the country, like schools, police, and hospitals.
