Karachi may face another wave of price hikes after the recent increase in petroleum prices, as transport fares rise and dairy farmers push for a sharp increase in milk rates.
The Dairy and Cattle Farmers Association (DCFA) has demanded that the price of fresh milk be raised to Rs300 per litre, citing higher production costs after the petrol price hike.
DCFA President Shakir Umar Gujjar said the current retail price of milk in the city had come under pressure and should be revised.
He warned that milk prices may reach Rs300 per litre after Eid due to rising costs of electricity, medicines, gas, livestock fodder, and transportation.
Currently, the officially notified retail price of fresh milk is Rs220 per litre, while wholesalers are supplying it to retailers at Rs219–Rs222 per litre. Retailers say this narrow margin forces many of them to compromise on either quality or quantity to avoid losses.
A representative of the Karachi Milk Retailers Welfare Association (KMRFA), Abdul Waheed Gaddi, said milk retailers would not increase prices during Ramazan and would continue to follow the officially notified rate.
He added that the association has already filed a petition in the Sindh High Court seeking a reasonable increase in milk prices, which is expected to be heard after Eid.
Meanwhile, Syed Hasan Naqvi, the commissioner of Karachi, said that no official increase in milk prices has been approved, warning that action would be taken against anyone violating the government-notified rates.
The issue comes as commuters also complain about unauthorised increases in public transport fares across the city following the petrol price hike.
Taking notice of the situation, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Sindh’s senior minister who also holds the transport portfolio, ordered a review of public transport fares.
Chairing a meeting of the transport department, the minister stressed that only the provincial government can approve fare increases and warned transporters against raising fares without official permission.
He directed authorities to launch field inspections and set up an effective system to address public complaints.
Experts warn that the increase in petroleum prices may lead to higher transportation costs, which could eventually push up the prices of milk and other essential commodities in the coming days.
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