Alongside the rising cost of food items in Lahore, chicken meat and eggs are also being sold at prices higher than the government-approved rates, creating difficulties for residents, particularly low-income households.
According to the official price list, chicken meat is priced at Rs475 per kilogram. However, in the open market, it is being sold for Rs500 to Rs520 per kilogram, forcing consumers to pay an additional Rs25 to Rs30 per kilogram.
Residents say that amid the current inflationary pressures, chicken meat had long been considered a relatively affordable source of protein and one of the few food items still within reach of low- and middle-income families. However, the recent increase in prices has further added to their financial burden.
Meanwhile, farm eggs are also being sold above the official rates. In the market, eggs are available for Rs250 to Rs255 per dozen, making this basic dietary staple increasingly unaffordable for many consumers.
Citizens have urged the district administration and relevant authorities to ensure that chicken meat and eggs are sold at official prices and to take effective action against traders charging excessive rates.
They warned that if prices continue to rise unchecked, it will become even more difficult for low-income families to meet their basic nutritional needs.
Earlier, Pakistan’s short-term inflation recorded another rise in the latest weekly data, with the Sensitive Price Indicator showing an increase of 0.79 per cent for the week ending May 07, 2026, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The Sensitive Price Indicator tracks the movement of 51 essential commodities across 50 markets in 17 cities. It is updated weekly and is closely watched as a quick measure of inflation trends, helping assess changes in essential living costs in near real time.
The latest figures show that pressure mainly came from food items and fuel costs, which continued to affect household budgets.
Chicken prices saw the sharpest jump during the week, rising by 12.82 per cent. Diesel went up by 5.10 percent, while wheat flour increased by 3.42 per cent.
Other items that became costlier included fresh milk, curd, beef, mutton, tea, potatoes, washing soap and cigarettes, though most of these rose at a slower pace.
Some relief in vegetable prices
Not all items moved upward. Prices of tomatoes dropped by 7.08 per cent, offering some relief in kitchen costs. Garlic, eggs, LPG, pulses, onions, rice and gur also saw small declines over the week.
Out of 51 monitored items, 22 became more expensive, 14 became cheaper, while 15 remained unchanged. This shows a mixed trend in weekly inflation pressures.
Annual inflation stays elevated
On a yearly basis, inflation measured through the SPI rose by 15.16 per cent, showing continued pressure compared to last year.
Fuel and energy costs remained major drivers. Petrol prices surged by 58.32 per cent year-on-year, while diesel increased by 55.76 per cent. Electricity charges for Q1 rose by 52.58 per cent, and wheat flour climbed by 50.65 per cent.
Other items such as LPG, onions, mutton, spices and milk also recorded notable annual increases. However, some essentials including potatoes, pulses, sugar, eggs and chicken saw declines compared to last year.
Fertiliser and cement prices also tracked
The average price of Sona Urea stood at Rs4,597 per 50 kg bag, marking a rise of 0.59 per cent over the previous week and 2.63 percent higher than last year.
Cement prices averaged Rs1,531 per 50 kg bag, slightly lower by 0.09 per cent week-on-week, but still up 7.9 per cent compared to the same period last year.
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