RAWALPINDI:
With the onset of winter, sales of all varieties of fish have surged in fish markets across the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, accompanied by a record increase in prices.
This year, fish prices have risen by Rs200 to Rs250 per kilogram, while fried fish prices have increased by Rs200 to Rs300 per kilogram.
As temperatures drop, fish vendors have become a common sight in streets and neighbourhoods, selling fish on pushcarts.
Wholesale and retail fish sales have increased in Rawalpindi’s fish market, with residents showing strong interest in fried and grilled fish.
Following the start of winter and recent rainfall, a large number of families visited fish markets, despite rising prices. Current prices include Mushka fish at Rs1,650 per kg, Salmon at Rs1,100, Singhara fish at Rs1,050, Sole fish at Rs2,250, winter fish at Rs1,800, Parrot fish at Rs1,650, Big Head at Rs750, Mashir at Rs900, Churra Toffee fish at Rs600, and shrimp at Rs3,200 per kg.
Citizens, including Arshad Javed, Chaudhry Imran and Sajid Khan, expressed anger over the rising prices, saying inflation has made everything expensive and fish sellers have also raised prices excessively.
Fish sellers said prices are high this year due to the winter season, but fish remains an essential food for children.
They added that despite high prices, citizens continue to buy between one to five kilograms according to their means, enjoying fish fried in oil or grilled over charcoal.
Fish market shopkeeper Fayaz Abbasi said that sea fish, river fish, imported fish from global markets and fish from dams are available.
He added that shrimp prices have reached record levels, with shrimp selling at Rs3,200 per kg, while fully cleaned shrimp is being sold at Rs4,000 per kg.
