‘Struggling to afford two meals a day’: Rising inflation hits Pakistan's Lahore

Residents of Pakistan's city of Lahore are having a hard time putting food on the table as inflation spirals. Families with limited incomes are finding it increasingly difficult to afford even two meals a day due to soaring prices of food, rent, utilities and other necessities. The cost of essentials like flour, cooking oil, pulses and vegetables has skyrocketed, making it hard for people to make ends meet.

Even basic items such as potatoes and tomatoes have become unaffordable for many. A retired teacher expressed the struggle of those on modest pensions, highlighting how rising household expenses are making it tough for them to manage daily needs. Residents have also accused the government of irregularities in LPG pricing, alleging that the commodity is being sold at much higher rates than the official price in some markets.

The residents questioned the lack of oversight to ensure government-mandated prices are enforced. Rickshaw driver Usman Ali shared how the rising costs of fuel and other essentials have severely impacted his livelihood, leaving him with little to save after meeting basic needs. The growing disparity between fuel prices and food prices has left citizens puzzled, with many wondering why the reduction in fuel costs is not reflected in market prices.