Quetta administration enforces new price list to curb profiteering
The Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Price Control Committee Quetta has exercised powers under the Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 1977, to immediately enforce new rates of essential commodities across Quetta district and cantonment areas until further orders.
According to the notification, the wholesale price of a 20‑kilogram flour bag has been fixed at Rs. 2,580, while the retail price is Rs. 2,640. Double steam rice will sell at Rs. 320 per kilogram, Basmati Super rice at Rs. 300, Tota rice at Rs. 150, Sella rice at Rs. 270, and old Sella rice at Rs. 320. Pulses have been priced as follows: gram lentils Rs. 250 per kilogram, moong lentils Rs. 350, mash lentils Rs. 450, and masoor lentils Rs. 300. Pakistani gram flour has been set at Rs. 290 per kilogram, while Iranian gram flour will sell at Rs. 230. Sugar’s wholesale price is Rs. 141 per kilogram, with retail at Rs. 145.
The notification further fixes bakery items: plain bread (700–800 grams) at Rs. 170, sweet bread at Rs. 180, smaller sweet bread (350–400 grams) at Rs. 110, plain bread (smaller size) at Rs. 100, rusks at Rs. 380 per kilogram, and fruit cake (450 grams) at Rs. 400. Meat prices have been set at Rs. 2,000 per kilogram for mutton, Rs. 1,050 per kilogram for beef with bone, and Rs. 1,200 per kilogram for boneless beef. A 310‑gram naan/roti has been fixed at Rs. 40, while the sale of double roti has been strictly prohibited.
Milk prices have also been revised: mixed milk (50% cow and 50% buffalo) at Rs. 200 per liter at dairy farms and Rs. 220 retail, cow milk at Rs. 150 per liter at farms and Rs. 170 retail, while yogurt has been fixed at Rs. 230 per kilogram. Prices of fruits, vegetables, eggs, live chicken, and poultry meat will continue to be determined daily by the Market Committee. Additionally, biscuits (plain, sweet, salty, coconut, and ginger) have been set at Rs. 800 per kilogram, while plain cake (450 grams) will sell at Rs. 350.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all shopkeepers to prominently display the official rate list and strictly adhere to the fixed prices. He warned that overcharging or selling underweight items will result in strict legal action against violators.