Multan: As temperatures continue to rise, lemon prices in Multan have skyrocketed, leaving consumers stunned and sparking public frustration over unchecked inflation in essential goods.
Once a common ingredient in summer refreshments like lemonade, limca, and shikanjabeen, lemons have now become a luxury for many households. On Wednesday, lemons were being sold for Rs800 per kilogram, up from Rs500 just a week ago, marking a sharp and unofficial surge in prices.
Shoppers expressed outrage over the sudden hike. “I came to buy lemons for my kids so they could enjoy shikanjabeen in this heat,” said one frustrated resident. “But at Rs800 a kilo, it’s simply out of reach.”
Vendors blamed soaring wholesale prices for the increase, insisting they were left with no choice but to pass the cost on to customers. “The market rate is already Rs800. The government’s official price of Rs535 per kilo is completely unrealistic — we’re not even getting lemons at that rate ourselves,” said a local fruit seller.
Despite the official price controls, many shopkeepers are reportedly ignoring the government-issued price lists, contributing to the growing gap between market and regulated rates.
Citizens are now calling on the local administration and price control authorities to step in and take swift action to stabilize lemon prices and prevent further exploitation of consumers during the extreme heat.
