Pakistan, March 11 -- The last Sunday before the arrival of Ramazan saw huge rush in Sunday bazaars. For many ordinary people, the approaching crescent moon casts a long shadow of worry due to a huge surge in inflation. With a staggering 11 percent increase recorded in just one week, the burden falls heaviest on those who can least afford it.

This price hike exposes a disheartening reality: the vulnerability of essential goods to profiteering and hoarding. The very items that grace our aftari and sehri tables - potatoes, eggs, onions, tomatoes, beef, and mutton - have become alarmingly expensive. These are not luxuries; they are the staples that keep families nourished during the holy month.

The blame for this situation cannot be placed...