As the holy month of Ramazan draws near, the familiar surge in food prices has once again begun to burden households across Pakistan. Traders, anticipating heightened demand, have raised rates for essential items, leaving ordinary citizens—particularly those from low-income backgrounds—struggling to afford even the basics for iftar. This annual phenomenon is driven not only by supply and demand dynamics but also by opportunistic profiteering, which exploits the sanctity of the month and the vulnerability of consumers.

The challenge before the state is clear: it must ensure that food items of reasonable quality are sold at officially notified rates and that traders are prevented from engaging in price gouging. While inflation affects all segments of society, its impact is most severe on the poor, who are deprived of the dignity of a modest iftar meal. The government’s responsibility is to protect these citizens from exploitation and guarantee access to affordable essentials during Ramazan.

In this context, the prime minister’s announcement of a Rs38 billion Ramazan relief package is a welcome step. The initiative, which will benefit over 12 million deserving families, involves direct cash transfers through digital wallets and bank accounts. This approach is intended to eliminate past inefficiencies associated with utility stores, where citizens often faced long queues and received substandard goods. By shifting to digital transfers, the government hopes to provide timely assistance and empower families to purchase food items of their choice.

However, relief packages alone cannot address the wider issue of unchecked profiteering. The quality of goods available at ‘sasta’ and ‘bachat’ bazaars must be improved, as these markets often stock inferior products that fail to meet consumer needs. Moreover, civic authorities must ensure that official price lists reflect ground realities and are enforced rigorously. Traders who flout these lists and exploit customers should face strict penalties.

Already, reports from Karachi indicate that fruit prices have risen sharply, with few vendors adhering to official rates. In past years, consumers resorted to boycotts of fruit sellers during Ramazan, highlighting the frustration caused by unjustified price hikes. Such measures reflect the public’s growing discontent and underscore the need for stronger regulatory oversight.

The administration must strike a balance: traders should be allowed a fair profit margin, but this should not translate into astronomical rates that place basic food items out of reach for ordinary families. Civic bodies across the country must intensify monitoring efforts, ensuring that markets remain accessible and that consumers are not held hostage to greed.

Ramazan is a time of compassion, generosity, and community. It is deeply unfortunate when these values are overshadowed by exploitation in the marketplace. The government’s relief package is a step in the right direction, but it must be complemented by strict enforcement of price controls and quality standards. Only then can citizens experience the month with dignity, free from the anxiety of unaffordable essentials.