Residents of Peshawar are facing yet another financial strain as the district administration has announced a significant price hike for roti, a staple food item. According to a recent notification from the deputy commissioner of Peshawar, the price of a 125-gram roti has increased by Rs5, bringing the cost to Rs20. Previously, a 120-gram roti was sold for Rs15. This change has been implemented immediately across the district.
The administration has explained that the price hike was based on recommendations from the Price Review Committee, which attributed the increase to the rising cost of flour. The price of an 80kg bag of flour has surged from Rs7,000 to Rs8,900, leading to necessary adjustments in roti prices.
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Local naanbai (bread makers) have expressed concerns that despite the price increase, they are still operating at a loss due to the escalating costs of ingredients. “Even with the new bread prices, we are still facing losses,” lamented a tandoor owner, emphasizing the ongoing financial challenges in the sector.
This price hike comes shortly after another increase in the cost of live chicken in Peshawar, where prices surged to Rs440 per kilogramme. This sharp rise has made chicken unaffordable for many, significantly reducing sales, with only hotel owners continuing to purchase chicken in bulk. A local shopkeeper commented on the situation, noting that “due to inflation, buying chicken has become impossible for ordinary citizens.”
The compounded effect of these price hikes on essential food items is leaving citizens struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.
