Meat prices have surged to record levels in Karachi, with chicken and red meat being sold far above official rates, as retailers openly flout the official rate lists issued by the district government.
In Karachi, the price of chicken has surged by Rs200 per kilogram over the past two days. Chicken that was previously sold for Rs500 to Rs550 per kg is now being sold at Rs750 to Rs850 per kg.
The government has fixed the price of chicken at Rs670 per kg, but in the market, it is still being sold between Rs750 and Rs800 per kg.
Shopkeepers say that poultry farmers are supplying expensive chickens, making it impossible for them to sell at the lower government-set price.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s weekly inflation rose by 0.24%, the latest data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The report showed that the annual weekly inflation rate reached 3.75%. During the week, prices of 17 essential items went up, while 14 items saw a decrease, reflecting a mixed trend, though the overall balance leaned upward.
Chicken prices surged by Rs40.34 per kilogram, and eggs rose by Rs10.31 per dozen. Firewood also became more expensive, climbing Rs12.35 per maund, adding to household costs as winter approaches.
Other items such as moong lentils increased by Rs1.17 per kilogram, while daily staples like yoghurt, fresh milk, mutton, and powdered milk also saw price hikes, keeping the cost of basic food items high for average consumers.
