RAWALPINDI - As Eidul Fitr is approaching the shopkeepers in various markets of the city have started looting the general public by selling the basic need items at high prices that diluted the purchasing power of the poor. There is no check and balance on price hike by the City District Government and the prices of edible and clothes, shoes, garments and cosmetics were touching the sky. People in several markets and bazaars were going back to their homes without buying, as shopkeepers demand high prices, which customers could not afford, TheNation learnt. A number of people told that there was discount on almost every item last year. During a visit in the various markets including Tench Bhatta, Adaila Road, Lal Kurti, Saddar, Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazzar, Commercial Market and Sadiq Abad shoppers showed their disgruntlement and said that now this time the things are far away from their purchasing power. Muhammad Saeed, a government employee, said that he came Saddar to purchase jeans but going back empty hands as the jeans which could be bought at Rs 300 last year now it was available at Rs 500. A mother with two little children, at Tench Bhatta, told this scribe that the shopkeepers have increased the prices of baby garments this year. She said that the clothes, which I purchased last year at the price of Rs 250 for my children, now the shopkeepers demanding Rs 550 for the same clothes, she added. The incidents of exchanging harsh words between the buyers and sellers could be witnessed at almost every market and bazaars. Shazia, a housewife, said that the shopkeepers spread a variety of items in front of customers and demand high prices. They use abusive language when customers leave their shops with out purchasing any thing. Though the bazaars, shopping plazas and markets are packed with public yet more than half return their houses with out buying any thing.