Prices of masks, sanitizers shoot up in Poonch

Aqtab Hussain

Poonch, Apr 9: At a time when the threat of coronavirus pandemic is looming large, some shopkeepers are selling masks, sanitizers and other items at exorbitant rates, evoking resentment from public.

There is no availability of masks and sanitizers in Mendhar, Surankote, Mandi and Poonch and if they are found somewhere, the shopkeepers are selling them on high rates. The people have expressed dismay over the authorities’ “failure” to check the markets.

“We had earlier requested media to highlight such issues but to no avail. We believe if the departments including food and drug control officials will pull up their socks, only then something could be done, otherwise, these essential items will be out of bounds for common masses,” a local told

Apart from public, even the doctors and paramedical staff of health department is without these essential items, a doctor said, adding that “many chemists in Mendhar, Surankote Mandi and Poonch are black marketing the essential items while the people continue to suffer”.