The war breaking out in the Middle East is affecting the neighboring country Pakistan. After the increase in the prices of LPG, petrol and diesel, now the prices of medicines have also been increased significantly. According to local media reports, the prices of medicines have been increased by 50 percent to 500 percent in Bohor market, the pharmaceutical hub (major center of medicines) in Rawalpindi.

According to the report of Pakistani newspaper ‘The Express Tribune’, the price of insulin injection device in the market has increased from 2200 Pakistani rupees to 4720 rupees. This is affecting the poor class, who seem unable to buy expensive medicines.

Prices of life saving medicines increased

In this report of Sunday (30 March) it was said that the price of Vitamin B supplements has increased from 500 to 600 Pakistani rupees. Similarly, the price of a packet of acidity medicine has increased from Rs 530 to Rs 620. The price of a pack of nutritional supplements and vitamin tablets has increased from Rs 480 to Rs 510. The price of thyroid medicine has increased from 85 PKR to 290 PKR. At the same time, the price of common treatment of typhoid has increased from Rs 805 to Rs 930. The prices of many other life-saving medicines have also increased.

LPG prices increase

Due to the ongoing war in West Asia, the average price of LPG in Pakistan has increased from Rs 3150-3,968 to Rs 3900-5135 for an 11.67 kg cylinder. Citing the data of ‘Sensitive Price Index’ (SPI) released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on March 26, another well-known newspaper of Pakistan ‘Dawn’ reported that the highest increase in prices has been recorded in the cities of Punjab province.

Fares for private vehicles increased

According to reports, as gas prices are increasing, the fare of private vehicles running on LPG has also increased. This is putting additional burden on low and middle income passengers who depend on LPG-run rickshaws, buses and minibuses. Amidst the increase in global prices of LPG due to the Middle East war, the supply of gas from Iran has also decreased. Earlier, 10,000 to 12,000 tonnes of gas was supplied daily from Iran, which has now reduced.

According to M. Ali Haider, convener of the standing committee on LPG of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, three ships carrying about 20,000 tonnes of imported LPG reached Pakistan in the month of March.

After the recent conflict with Afghanistan, Pakistan’s domestic market has become bad. Tomato prices have skyrocketed in Pakistan. The price of tomato has reached Rs 700 per kg in many big cities of the country including Lahore-Karachi. Till a few weeks ago, the price of tomato, which is one of the most essential ingredients in the kitchen, was Rs 100 per kg in Pakistan, but now after increasing several times, the price of tomato has started touching the sky. Due to manifold increase in the prices of tomatoes, the common people of Pakistan have been affected the most. The people of the country are very worried about this. At the same time, along with many local reasons, the conflict with Afghanistan is also being said to be behind this increase.

According to the report of Pakistan’s Sama TV, many parts of the country are flood affected, due to which the crops grown in the fields have been completely destroyed. Along with this, due to disruption in trade and shortage in supply, tomato prices have started skyrocketing in Pakistan. Actually, Iranian tomatoes are coming in the Pakistani market, but due to the suspension of Afghanistan exports after increased border tension and military conflict, there has been a huge increase in the prices of many vegetables including tomatoes across Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Punjab province most affected

According to the report, the maximum impact of the rise in the prices of tomatoes in Pakistan has been seen in Jhelum and Gujranwala of Punjab province. While in Jhelum the price of tomato has reached Rs 700 per kg, in Gujranwala it is being sold at Rs 575 per kg.

Talking about other areas of Pakistan, the price of tomato in Multan is Rs 450 per kg, in Faisalabad it has reached Rs 500 per kg, while according to the official rate list of the administration, the maximum price of tomato is Rs 170 per kg. Whereas in Lahore, the price of tomato under the government rate is Rs 175, but in the markets tomatoes are being sold at Rs 400 per kg.

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