Lahore, March 8 -- The start of Ramazan has once again exposed weaknesses in Pakistan's price control system as fruit and vegetable prices surged across Punjab province, leaving consumers struggling with rising costs. Several essential food items were sold well above the official rate list despite government regulations intended to control prices during Ramzan, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, the official rate for first-grade bananas was set at PKR 240 per dozen, yet vendors in many markets refused to sell them for less than PKR 300.

Similarly, guava was listed at PKR 145 per kilogram, but even lower-grade fruit was being sold at PKR 150 per kilogram. Kandhari pomegranates, which had an official pri...