ISLAMABAD: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices have reached a record high, with the rate of a 15kg domestic cylinder soaring to Rs4,700, compared to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA)’s official price of Rs3,015 per cylinder, Business Recorder (BR) noted in a survey conducted on Saturday.
Earlier, the OGRA had notified a reduction in LPG prices for November 2025, lowering the cost of a 15kg domestic cylinder by Rs72 compared to October and fixing LPG at Rs201 per kg. The price of an LPG cylinder had dropped from Rs3,088 to Rs3,015; however, marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are overcharging consumers by up to Rs1,685 per domestic cylinder and Rs140–160 per kg, as the OGRA has failed to enforce official prices, leaving consumers compelled to pay inflated rates.
This correspondent also noted a significant decline in the prices of most essential kitchen items in the wholesale market over the past week. Retailers; however, are reluctant to pass the benefit onto end consumers due to the ineffective role of price-monitoring committees comprising local representatives, the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Tehsildars, and representatives of traders, farmers, and retailers.
A slight reduction was observed in wheat flour prices, as the best-quality wheat flour ex-mill price declined from Rs1,730 to Rs1,720 per 15-kg bag, while retail prices remain between Rs1,780–1,800. Tandoor owners have kept the prices of roti, Naan, and Paratha unchanged at Rs20, Rs23–25, and Rs60, respectively. Prices of bakery and confectionery items also remained unchanged, with normal-sized bread available at Rs140 and small-sized bread at Rs100–110.
Prices of various rice varieties have declined significantly with the arrival of fresh stocks. Best-quality basmati is available in the wholesale market at Rs11,000 per 40-kg bag and Rs300 per kg in retail. Normal-quality basmati has dropped to Rs10,000 per 40-kg bag and Rs270 per kg in retail, while good-quality broken basmati is at Rs7,500 per 40-kg bag and Rs200 per kg in retail. Lower-quality basmati ranges between Rs5,000–6,000 per 40-kg bag and Rs130–170 per kg in retail.
No changes were seen in tea prices, with Lipton Yellow Label at Rs2,200 per 900-g pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,800 per kg. Wholesale prices of turmeric powder (Rs700 per kg) and red chilli powder (Rs550 per kg) remained stable, though retailers continue selling them at Rs1,000 and Rs800 per kg, respectively.
Cooked food prices also remained stable, with a plate of cooked Dal or vegetables available at Rs320, cooked beef at Rs550, chicken at Rs500, mutton at Rs750, naan/ roti at Rs25–30, and tea at Rs70–100 per cup.
Sugar prices declined slightly from Rs8,800 to Rs8,750 per 50-kg bag in the open market, while the government-fixed price remains Rs8,600 per 50-kg bag. However, this official rate is only available to licensed retailers. Non-licensed retailers are forced to purchase at higher rates and sell sugar at Rs190–200 per kg, against the official price of Rs172 per kg.
The survey noted a reduction in chicken prices, which fell from Rs12,400 to Rs12,000 per 40kg in the wholesale market. Retail prices stand at Rs330–345 per kg, while chicken meat ranges from Rs550–650 per kg depending on locality. Egg prices saw a slight reduction in the wholesale market, declining from Rs9,300 to Rs9,100 per carton of 30 dozen. Retailers; however, continue selling eggs at Rs340–350 per dozen. Mutton and beef prices remained stable, with normal-quality mutton at Rs2,400 per kg and premium-quality at Rs2,700–2,800 per kg. Boneless beef is priced at Rs1,500 per kg and mixed beef at Rs1,300 per kg. Fish varieties are available between Rs600–1,000 per kg.
Ghee and cooking oil prices remained unchanged. B-grade ghee/oil costs Rs6,000 per carton of 16 packs in wholesale and Rs400 per 900-g pack in retail. Premium brands such as Dalda ghee remain stable at Rs2,800 per 5-kg tin, while retail prices stand at Rs2,900 per 5-litre bottle.
Prices of branded spices such as Shan and National remain unchanged at Rs150 per 39-g pack and Rs70 per sachet.
Pulse prices saw further decline in the wholesale market. Maash pulse dropped from Rs16,000 to Rs13,200 per 40-kg bag (Rs330 per kg in wholesale), but it is available at Rs400–460 per kg in retail. Gram pulse dropped from Rs10,000 to Rs8,400 per 40kg (Rs210 per kg wholesale) but it is sold at Rs270 per kg in retail. Best-quality whole gram pulse decreased from Rs10,500 to Rs9,500 in the wholesale and is sold at Rs280–300 per kg in retail. Beans are priced at Rs400–500 per kg compared to Rs430–520 earlier. Moong pulse increased from Rs300 to Rs400 per kg, while masoor pulse remains at Rs260 per kg.
Packed milk brands such as Milk-Pak and Olpers remain stable at Rs3,800–4,000 per carton. Retail prices are Rs100 per 250ml pack and Rs360 per litre. Fresh milk sells for Rs240–250 per litre depending on the locality, while yogurt remains at Rs250 per kg. Powdered milk brands such as Nido and Lactogen also remain unchanged, with Nido’s 400g pack at Rs1,350 and 200g pack at Rs750.
Bath soaps such as Safeguard (family size) are priced at Rs160, while Dettol, Lux, and Palmolive are available at Rs180. Detergents like Ariel, Surf Excel, Brite, and Express Power remain at Rs530 per kg pack.
Cold drink brands including Pepsi, Coke, and Mirinda remain stable at Rs230 for a family-size bottle.
Overall vegetable prices show a declining trend. Potato prices dropped from Rs3,800–5,700 to Rs3,000–4,500 per quintal but are still being sold at Rs70–100 per kg against the official Rs39–65 per kg. Onion prices fell from Rs5,800–8,200 to Rs5,200–7,700 per quintal but retail prices remain Rs100–150 per kg against the official Rs72–99. Tomato prices decreased from Rs1,400 to Rs1,100 per 15kg basket but still retail at Rs100–150 per kg against the official Rs66–95.
Ginger prices declined from Rs1,500–1,600 to Rs1,250–1,300 per 5kg in wholesale but retail prices remain Rs400–450 per kg. Garlic prices remained stable: local garlic is Rs750 per 5kg in wholesale and Rs200–230 per kg in retail (official Rs195–210). Quetta garlic sells at Rs1,200 per 5kg wholesale and Rs265–290 in retail, while China garlic increased from Rs1,650 to Rs1,700 per 5kg wholesale and sells at Rs400–425 per kg. Many vendors continue mislabelling local garlic as China/Quetta to charge higher rates.
Capsicum prices fell from Rs900 to Rs750 per 5kg wholesale but remain high in retail at Rs240–275 per kg against the official Rs175–185. Pumpkin prices remain between Rs275–300 per 5kg wholesale but retail at Rs65–110 against the official Rs44–88.
Tinda prices remain Rs400–650 per 5 kg wholesale and Rs165–200 per kg retail against the official Rs110–155. Eggplant remains at Rs125 per 5kg wholesale and Rs60–75 retail against the official Rs39–44. Cauliflower prices dropped significantly from Rs1,200 to Rs800 per 5kg wholesale but retail at Rs50–70 against official Rs28–33. Cabbage dropped from Rs500 to Rs450 per 5kg wholesale but sells at Rs150–170 retail against official Rs110–120. Fresh beans decreased from Rs750 to Rs450 per 5kg wholesale but retail at Rs150–200 per kg against official Rs110–120. Peas dropped from Rs900 to Rs600 per 5kg wholesale but retail at Rs175–225 per kg against official Rs132–145.
The official price list is prepared in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, allowing profit margins of Rs10 per kg for wholesale markets, Rs15–25 per kg in most city areas, and Rs20–40 per kg in upscale localities. However, no vendor, pushcart holder, or shopkeeper is following the official price list.
Consumers have urged the authorities to either enforce the official price list or discontinue an exercise that provides no relief to the public.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
