LAHORE: With the arrival of Ramazan, prices of food items, especially fruits and vegetables, have soared to unprecedented levels irking citizens greatly. Authorities seem unable to rein in profiteers from exploiting citizens in the fasting month. Lemon, which is considered an essential ingredient of soft drinks in Ramazan, has gone virtually extinct in Lahore. Retailers are selling it for Rs 400 per kilogramme. The price of spinach among vegetables has also been hiked, whereas apple and banana are being sold at Rs 380 and 280, respectively. Same is the case in rest of the cities across the country, with profiteers putting up their desired rates of everything. In Karachi, prices of all food items, relating to Sehr and Iftar in any way, have been hiked. In Quetta and Peshawar, fruits, vegetables, chicken and other items’ prices were raised beyond purchasing power of a common man, days ahead of Ramazan. The hike in prices has greatly irked the masses, who have been criticising authorities for failing to put an end to profiteers’ monopoly.