Arbitrary increases in broiler meat prices are being reported in Lahore, with retailers selling chicken above the officially notified rates despite government price controls, prompting widespread concern among consumers.
According to the official price list, broiler meat is fixed at Rs446 per kilogram. However, the rate is largely being ignored in the open market, where butchers in several areas are charging up to Rs550 per kilogram.
Consumers say some shops are also demanding additional charges under the label of “premium cleaned meat,” further increasing the financial burden on buyers.
Residents have questioned the authorities’ inaction, arguing that the lack of effective enforcement against overcharging has allowed butchers to openly flout official prices and charge arbitrary rates.
Meanwhile, the price of farm eggs has remained stable. However, rising inflation and declining purchasing power continue to make even basic food items increasingly difficult for the public to afford.
Earlier, Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed that the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), which tracks short-term inflation, fell by 0.98 per cent compared with the previous week.
The biggest relief came from lower energy costs. Petrol prices dropped 19.77 per cent during the week, while diesel became 17.73 per cent cheaper. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices also declined 12.60 per cent.
Among food items, chicken prices fell 1.97 per cent, followed by bananas at 1.44 per cent. Prices of pulse moong, pulse mash, garlic, pulse gram, mustard oil and sugar also edged lower.
Despite the overall decline in the SPI, several everyday food items became more expensive.
Tomato prices surged 125.40 per cent in just one week, marking the sharpest increase among all tracked items. Onion prices climbed 10.72 per cent, while potatoes rose 10.06 per cent. Eggs became 8.32 per cent more expensive and wheat flour increased 5.08 per cent.
Smaller increases were also recorded in matchboxes, shirting, washing soap, fresh milk, bread, IRRI rice and cigarettes.
Out of the 51 essential commodities monitored by the PBS, prices of 23 items increased during the week, 11 declined and 17 remained unchanged.
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