The prices of cooking oil and ghee have shot up by Rs 8 per kg from Rs 179 per kg to 187 per kg in the retail market. Shopkeepers said the price of 5kg tin of cooking oil had been increased to Rs 935 from Rs 905. They said the price of 2.5kilogram tin of cooking oil and ghee had been increased to Rs 455 from Rs 275.
Prices of cooking oil offered in lose packing increased from Rs 142 per litter to Rs 150 per litter. Likewise cooking oil offered for sale in one litter pouch was increased from Rs 167 to Rs 175 per kg. Retailers said that the prices had been increased on the pretext of hike in cooking oil prices in international market and depreciation of Pak rupee against dollar.
Consumers said that the government seemed to have no interest in the resolving the issues being faced by the people. Consumers were of the view that the fresh increase would squeeze their purchasing power, while inflation and unemployment have already reached their peak in the country.