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Prices of food items skyrocket amid Ramadan

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PESHAWAR: With the beginning of Ramadan, prices of food items have also started skyrocketing without any check from the authorities concerned.

During a visit to markets in the capital city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to check and compare rates of edibles with those issued by the district administration, it was found that the prices of food items have continued to increase with each passing day in the holy month.

The price of live chicken has increased to Rs350 per kg and the price of rice increased by Rs70 per kg, said a vendor, adding that the price of rice has gone up to Rs335 per kg.

He also said that split chickpeas (chana dal) started selling at Rs220 to Rs260 per kg, while the price of beans increased by Rs60 per kg with rates jumping from Rs281 to Rs339 per kg.

The price of spices increased from Rs150 to Rs200 per kg, a shopkeeper told APP during a visit.

He shared that the price of spices in the city has reached Rs600 per kg and the cost of oil and ghee also seen a surge by Rs62 per kg, while other vegetables and fruits also now remain out of consumers’ purchasing power. Garlic is being sold at Rs360 and ginseng at Rs620 per kg. On the other hand, peas cost Rs200, Arvi Rs180, Zucchini Rs170, green capsicum Rs150 rupees and tomato Rs120 per kg.

The rates of fruits have also seen a hike. Sweet oranges are priced at Rs440 per dozen, oranges at Rs400 per dozen, banana at Rs300 per dozen, pomegranate Rs400, Iranian apple at Rs340 per kg, Kohati guava at Rs350 and strawberry costs Rs280 per kg.

The skyrocketing price hike also impacted the meat market with beef being sold for Rs700 per kg before Ramadan, but is now priced at Rs800 and Rs1,000 per kg, while the rates of mutton were increased from Rs1,400 to Rs1,600 per kg; thereby increasing to Rs1,800 per kg.

“The rates issued by the district administration do not suit us,” a butcher in the local market said.

When asked about the imposition of fines and raids from the district administration officials, he replied that most officials did not come inside the market to check rates during the recent rain due to heavy mud-stranded water; therefore, the shopkeepers began charging rates of their own choice.

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Pakistan’s gold prices are still declining; see the most recent

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The price of 10-gram gold reduced by Rs943 to settle at Rs207,733, while the price of gold dropped by Rs1200 to close at Rs242,300 a tola, according to the Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

In the global market, the price of the precious metal fell by $10 to $2,349 per ounce, resulting in losses.

At 04:48 GMT, the spot price of gold had dropped by 0.2% to $2,354.77 per ounce. In the previous session, prices reached a two-week high.

American gold futures dropped 0.6% to $2,361.

Spot silver decreased by 0.4% to $28.03 per ounce, while palladium remained steady at $978.03 and platinum decreased by 0.1% to $992.89.

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Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

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Pakistan is requesting a $6 to $8 billion bailout package from the international lender over the next three to four years to address its financial troubles.

A mission team led by Nathan Porter, the IMF’s Mission Chief in Pakistan, is meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Islamabad may face more difficult options, such as raising power and gas bills.

Mr. Aurganzeb informed the IMF team that the country’s economy has improved as a result of the IMF loan package, and Islamabad is ready to sign a new loan programme to further develop.

The IMF mission expressed satisfaction with Islamabad’s efforts to revive the country’s struggling economy.

The IMF praised Pakistan’s economic growth in its staff report earlier this week, but warned that the outlook remains challenging, with very high downside risks.

The country nearly avoided collapse last summer, and its $350 billion economy has stabilized since the end of the last IMF program, with inflation falling to roughly 17% in April from a record high of 38% last May.

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Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

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According to sources, the government is set to decrease petrol prices by Rs 14 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 10 on May 16 for the next fortnight’s revision.

Last month, the government reduced the price of fuel and high-speed diesel by Rs5.45 and Rs8.42 per fortnight, respectively.

The current fuel price is Rs288.49 per litre, while the HSD price is Rs281.96.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell further on Monday, as signs of sluggish fuel consumption and comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials dimmed optimism for interest rate reduction, which may slow growth and reduce fuel demand in the world’s largest economy.

Brent crude prices down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.54 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.07 per barrel.

Oil prices also declined on signals of poor demand, according to ANZ analysts, as gasoline and distillate inventories in the United States increased in the week before the start of the driving season.

Refiners throughout the world are dealing with falling diesel profitability as new refineries increase supply and warm weather in the northern hemisphere and weak economic activity reduce demand.

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