Business

Prices of food items skyrocket amid Ramadan

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

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.

Business

With its second-largest surge ever, PSX approaches 114,000 points.

Published

4 hours ago

Farwa

Driven by renewed activity from both private and government financial institutions, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw its second-largest rally in history on Monday.

The market regained many important levels in a single trading session as it rose with previously unheard-of momentum.

Intraday trading saw a top increase of 4,676 points, and the PSX’s benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 4,411 points to settle at 113,924 points. This impressive rebound demonstrated significant investor confidence by reestablishing the 100,000, 111,000, 112,000, and 113,000-point levels.

The market also saw the 114,000-point limit reestablished during the trading session.

The positive tendency was reflected when the market’s heavyweight shares touched its upper circuits. Among the most busiest trading sessions in recent memory, an astounding 85.78 billion shares worth a total of Rs55 billion were exchanged.

Experts credited the spike to heightened institutional investor activity and hope for macroeconomic recovery. Considered a major market recovery, the rally demonstrated the market’s tenacity and development potential.

Business

In interbank trade, the Pakistani rupee beats the US dollar.

Published

1 week ago

Farwa

In the international exchange market, the US dollar has continued to weaken in relation to the Pakistani rupee.

The dollar fell to Rs278.10 from Rs278.17 at the beginning of interbank trading, according to currency dealers, a seven paisa loss.

In the meantime, there was a lot of turbulence in the stock market, but it recovered and moved into the positive zone. The KSE-100 index recovered momentum and reached 116,000 points after soaring 1,300 points.

Both currency and stock market swings, according to analysts, are a reflection of ongoing market adjustments and economic uncertainty.

Business

Phase II of CPEC: China-Pakistan Partnership Enters a New Era

Published

1 week ago

Farwa

The cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two brothers and all-weather friends is still the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the initiative’s flagship project.

In contrast to reports of a slowdown, recent events indicate a renewed vigour and strategic emphasis on pushing the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC Phase-2, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

According to the statement, this crucial stage seeks to reshape the foundation of bilateral ties via increased cooperation, cutting-edge technology transfer, and revolutionary socioeconomic initiatives.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s participation in a number of high-profile gatherings in China, such as the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in Kunming and the High-Level Seminar on CPEC-2 in Beijing.

His involvement demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to reviving CPEC, resolving outstanding concerns, and developing a strong phase-2 roadmap that considers both countries’ long-term prosperity.

At the core of these interactions is China’s steadfast determination to turn CPEC into a strategic alliance that promotes development, progress, and connectivity.

Instead of being marginalised, CPEC is developing into a multifaceted framework with five main thematic corridors: the Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor, the Innovation Corridor, the Green Corridor, the Growth Corridor, and the Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor.

With the help of projects like these, the two countries will fortify their partnership, and CPEC phase-2 will become a model of global economic integration and collaboration that benefits not just China and Pakistan but the entire region.