A week ago, eggs were sold at the rate of PKR88 per dozen but in a span of seven days, egg prices soared by PKR30 in the wholesale market and PKR34 to PKR37 at retail shops. Similarly, restaurants are selling boiled eggs for PKR16 against PKR15 and a fried eggs for PKR20 against PKR16.

Rawalpindi Egg Wholesale Dealers Association General Secretary Amjad Abbasi said that egg prices have increased because of a wide gap between supply and demand in the winter season. He said that eggs are not locally produced and all poultry farms are located in far-off areas.

“We bear huge transportation charges to bring eggs to Rawalpindi and Islamabad. We cannot maintain supply of eggs in the winter season and sometimes we have to bear their shortage in the peak winter season, therefore, their price is continuously rising,” he added.

Talking to The News, people belonging to different walks of life said that every year wholesale dealers increase rates of egg by 100 per cent. The majority of families eat eggs for breakfast, particularly in the winter season but due to high prices, the majority of the population cannot afford it, they said.

Muhammad Bashir, a citizen, said, “A week back, I purchased one dozen eggs for PKR88. But on Wednesday, eggs were being sold for PKR122 per dozen, as price magistrates are totally unmoved against profiteers,” he said.

Shamsa Kanwal, a housewife, allegedly said that the government has snatched everything, particularly food items, from the common man. “I cannot afford to buy eggs for my child due to high prices,” she said.

Additional District Collector General (ADGC) Muhammad Ali Randhawa admitted that prices of eggs are continuously soaring at retail shops. He told The News that they were visiting markets for taking strict action against profiteers to control price hike.