As the cost of living continues to climb steeply in Pakistan, the burden on the common citizen becomes heavier by the day. Prices of daily essentials have reached alarming levels, squeezing middle and lower-income households. The weekly grocery trip has become a source of anxiety for millions of Pakistanis. From the price of tomatoes to the cost of cooking oil, inflation is reshaping everyday life. What was once a manageable household budget has turned into a month-to-month juggling act for families. The skyrocketing cost of daily necessities is not merely an economic problem; it is a deepening social crisis threatening to erode public trust, widen inequality, and undermine the very fabric of society. The most visible and painful symptom of Pakistan’s current economic distress is food inflation. According to recent reports, the prices of essential commodities, including wheat flour, rice, vegetables, pulses, and milk, have increased by over 40% year-on-year. For the average wage earner, whose income has not kept pace with inflation, this means cutting back sometimes drastically on nutrition and other basic needs. Consider this: in many urban centers, a kilogram of onions costs more than what a daily wage laborer earns in an hour. This is not sustainable. When daily necessities become luxuries, the concept of a dignified life vanishes. For families earning the minimum wage or less, those in the informal economy with no job security, the situation is even more dire. They are not merely budgeting; they are surviving. Multiple factors have contributed to this alarming rise in prices. Pakistan’s dependency on imported fuel and raw materials makes it highly vulnerable to global price shocks. The weakening of the rupee against the dollar has further exacerbated import costs, pushing up the price of everything from fuel to fertilizer. This, in turn, affects the cost of production and transportation of food items, which is passed down to the consumer. Climate change has also played its part. Devastating floods and erratic weather patterns have disrupted agricultural yields, creating scarcity in local markets. The floods of 2022, for instance, wiped out large swathes of cropland, causing significant supply chain disruptions that are still being felt. Without adequate disaster preparedness or investment in resilient infrastructure, such shocks will continue to hit the poorest the hardest. However, it is not just external or environmental forces at play. Mismanagement, hoarding, and a lack of effective price control mechanisms have worsened the crisis. Markets remain vulnerable to exploitation by intermediaries and speculators who artificially inflate prices for profit. Government response has been patchy at best, with occasional price subsidies or sasta bazaars that often fail to reach those most in need. So, what can be done? First, there needs to be a serious commitment to reforming Pakistan’s agricultural and food distribution systems. Investments in storage, cold chains, and local supply chains can reduce reliance on imports and make prices more stable. Second, social safety nets must be expanded and made transparent. Targeted subsidies through programs like BISP can offer temporary relief, but they must be part of a broader framework aimed at poverty reduction and food security. Most critically, the government must regain credibility by demonstrating that it can regulate markets effectively. Price control is not just about setting rates; it is about enforcement, monitoring, and ensuring transparency. The state must act firmly against hoarders and profiteers—not through ad hoc crackdowns, but through consistent policy and institutional reform. In the end, inflation is not just a matter of numbers. It reflects deeper structural issues that demand political will, long-term vision, and public accountability. Pakistan cannot build a prosperous future if its citizens cannot afford to eat today.