RECENTLY I observed that a product I used to buy had a hike in price by Rs70-80 without any warning and when I checked the price tag, which is normally there on many products, there was no printed price.

And the product is a regular in many households and also manufactured by a big company. I do not have the right to ask the shopkeeper as to why the price has been hiked.

In the case of CNG the retailers increase prices at their own free will. How can I verify whether I’m paying the right price?  To tell the truth, the retailer should not be blamed.

The blame should rest on those who willingly pay even a hiked price without questioning the sellers.

Many of us never bother to check or countercheck the amount we are paying for many services.

We just pass by saying, “Oh it’s inflation, it’s OK, fine of me to buy this at more than Rs50”. This is primarily the reason behind sugar hoarding, gas pricing scandals, etc, that we continue to witness.

M. SOHAIB ALI        Lahore