Various brands have increased the prices of item ghee/cooking oil by Rs15 to Rs20 per kg in Karachi, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

After the revised price list, the per-litre cooking oil packet will now cost consumers Rs439 up from Rs424 while Rs75 have been increased on the five-litre cooking oil carton.

The new price of the 5-litre carton now climbed up to Rs2,195 from Rs2,120.

Sources said that brands surged per-litre prices after Pakistani rupee devalued further and due to increase in charges of shipping companies. A number of shopkeepers also cautioned of further increase in the prices.

Earlier, the government-run Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has increased the prices of over 300 branded and non-branded essential household items including ghee/cooking oil, pulses, etc. in the ratio of Rs10 to 85 per kilogram.

The concerned department has sent a new price list to all utility stores across the country for its implementation immediately on Tuesday.

Reporter Baseem Ifthikhar