Escalating food prices force habit changes

Chitral -- .Rapid escalation in the cost of basic food items like flour, milk, rice, sugar, meat, vegetables etc have forced a change in the eating habits and life style of the people of Chitral.

 

Seniors quote two to three decades ago during the Afghan war, when dollars were pouring into Pakistan, Chitral, a host to the refugees was thus a big beneficiary enjoying a superficial economic boom. Then, even beggars had become choosy and would not accept a plate of rice without a big chunk of meat in it.  Now even white collar folks are seen thanking God for a meatless plate of rice (wepushooru pakhti).

 

During those (some call it golden) days, even animals were well fed with the left over bread and curry from the table, while these days  there are hardly any left overs and the household cattle have to make do with the lowly grass which so far is still cheap and available..

 

The disparity between the prices of food stuff in Chitral and down country can be seen from the fact that a  chicken which costs Rs 150 in Peshawar costs Rs 250 in Chitral. One resident of Ayun village talking to  CN, said that people have started eating Myena birds which are abundant in Chitral, and though not religiously prohibited, but were traditionally not eaten hitherto.

 

Whereas traders, labourers, employees both govt and private, get somewhat compensated for the inflation, the most hurt are middle class unemployed people who simply seem to be crushed in the onslaught of a runaway price hike, never witnessed before. --CN report, 29 May 2011