The Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar has enacted Section 144, prohibiting the supply of tomatoes to other districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the next ten days. This decision aims to address the increasing shortage and soaring prices of tomatoes in Peshawar.
A formal declaration issued today states that no individual or organization is permitted to transport tomatoes from Peshawar to other districts. Strict action will be taken against violators of this order.
It is important to note that Peshawar does not produce its tomatoes; instead, it relies on supplies from other districts within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The ban raises concerns that redirecting tomatoes directly to other district markets may exacerbate the tomato crisis in Peshawar.
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Malik Sohni, President of the All Pakistan Markets Federation, criticized the Deputy Commissioner's decision, asserting that it is ineffective since Peshawar's tomato supply primarily comes from other districts. He emphasized that the province's tomato production is insufficient to meet local demand, necessitating additional imports from Sindh, Afghanistan, and Iran.
As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, the price of red tomatoes in Peshawar has surged dramatically. Within a day, the price per kilogram has doubled from Rs.100 to Rs.200. The temporary ban on tomato exports is intended to stabilize the local market and ensure sufficient supply for Peshawar residents during this festive period.
