The government has closed the entry and exit routes to containers and trucks. (Photo: AFP)
‘Left the house at 12 o’clock in the night and reached the vegetable market through narrow and secret passages. Where he bought the vegetables and fruits that arrived two days ago, and after a struggle of more or less three hours, he has managed to reach back to his shop. Now after that, if anyone expects that the price of vegetables and fruits will be the same as usual, then it is a total loss deal for us.’
This is said by Amjad Abbasi, a vegetable seller of Bani Gala, a suburb of Islamabad, whose tomato price is Rs 360 per kg at his shop today, Monday, November 25.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf announced a march towards Islamabad on November 24, so the government started restricting movement by placing containers on the entrance and exit routes of the federal capital on the first day.
This paralyzed business life in the city’s business centers, and brought commercial activity to a standstill in all major business centers. Not only this, but due to the closure of the roads, a supply chain problem has also arisen in and around Islamabad. Due to which the prices of food and beverages, especially vegetables, fruits, eggs and breads, etc., are increasing.
In the suburbs of Islamabad, Bhara Kahu, Bani Gala, Bahria Enclave, Taramari, Tarlai and other areas, the delivery of food and beverages has been almost stopped for the last two days.
Two days ago, the prices of vegetables and fruits in these areas started to be higher than normal and now they have doubled.
In the market, an apple which normally sells for 250 rupees per kg is now 350 to 400 rupees, a banana of 150 rupees is now two and a half rupees, 300 rupees, a tomato of 150 rupees is 360 rupees, while the prices of other fruits and vegetables are also seen to be much higher than usual. are
The situation is that the citizens who usually used to buy groceries for the whole week from the weekly markets of Islamabad, now due to the closure of the roads and markets, they could not even go there, so they have to buy these vegetables and fruits at high prices. are forced to
Shopkeeper Amjad Abbasi told Urdu News that ‘Our business is being severely affected due to the protest and closure of Ai Roz. When the price goes up, the number of customers goes down, and that doesn’t help us either.’
Pointing to his shop, he said, ‘Apparently you must also be feeling that there is plenty of vegetable and fruit, but it is less than usual. It has taken all night to get this stuff here. Left the house at twelve o’clock at night, reached the vegetable market through secret passages. Bought vegetables and fruits that arrived in the market two days ago. There was no bid there either, but they gave the price by mouth and after completing the 50-minute journey in three hours, they reached back. Now, if someone demands us to buy at the normal price, we will not lose at all.’
Another shopkeeper, Rashid Ali, informed about the same situation and said that ‘we three shopkeepers together could buy as much vegetables and fruits as we buy for one shop.’
Safia Bibi, a housewife shopping at this shop, said that the roads are closed, she could not even go out on weekends. Due to which now they are forced to buy from here and the prices are not under control and the vegetables and fruits are not fresh.
He said that not only that, eggs and bread have also become expensive and the price of chicken, which was two days ago, has now become much higher. These protests and road closures have ruined the entire budget of the white-clad class.’
Yasmin, a resident of Bahria Enclave, a suburb of Islamabad, said, “I live in a remote area. Yesterday morning, when I went to buy vegetables in Bahria, a two-day-old girl, Khchi Sazian, was lying in the shop.” I usually don’t buy vegetables from cash and carry, but from small vendors or stalls, I then switched to cash carry bharya. There was a rush from the parking lot and when I went inside, it was showing the view of the railway station.
He said that while talking to the people shopping in Dhakkpil, I found out that the other two grocery stores are out of vegetables, and what is available is here. I have not seen the uncertainty before, I got the potatoes but the tomatoes were gone and the price of the fruit was higher than last week, I found out when the bill was made. When I sent my son to get tomatoes, he brought a tin of tomato paste in his hand because the supply had not arrived even today.’
Not only Islamabad but also in other cities there are reports of affected supply chain due to which the citizens are facing difficulties.
According to Rai Shahnawaz, a correspondent of Urdu News from Lahore, the price of fruits and vegetables has increased due to the supply line being affected in Lahore, the capital of Punjab, due to the protest of Tehreek-e-Insaaf. The entry and exit routes of Lahore have been closed since Friday night. While the bus stations of Lahore are also closed from Friday, which not only affects the transportation from outside in the provincial capital, Lahore, but also affects the supply of vegetables and fruits and fuel.
The city has seen an increase in the prices of fresh food items on Monday morning. Tomatoes and onions are being sold at double rates.
Various petrol pumps say that if the supply does not come today, the oil stock will also run out.
On the other hand, the district administration has opened 80 percent of the transport routes within the city. Schools, colleges and offices have seen less than normal numbers. Lahore’s ring road has also been closed for the past two days. And people have also faced difficulties in reaching the airport.
The situation is similar in other big cities of Punjab, Gujranwala and Faisalabad. Traffic restrictions have been lifted within the cities, but entry and exit routes remain closed. All roads from Gujranwala to Rawalpindi have been completely sealed on Monday morning.
The supply of vegetables and fruits is affected due to the fact that the markets are outside the cities. There are also reports that when the Motorway and GT Road were closed on Friday night, several supply trucks are still stuck on the roads with vegetables spoiling.
Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari says that the situation is returning to normal in Lahore and other cities, now only the internal and external routes will be closed for some more time, while life inside the cities is normal.
