No chicken today for Karachities

KARACHI: In a decisive move, the poultry shopkeepers, chicken retailers, and Wholesalers Association in Karachi on Monday have declared a shutter-down strike in protest against what they deem as ‘unnecessary fines and arrests.’

This announcement has prompted wholesalers to cease the supply of chicken to vendors in Karachi, leading to a complete shutter-down strike among retailers in the local market until their grievances are addressed.

Expressing vehement dissatisfaction, the spokesperson for the poultry association directed criticism towards the administration, accusing it of issuing a rate list without taking into account the ground realities. This, according to the spokesperson, has created significant impediments for poultry vendors.

Demanding a daily release of the official chicken price by the administration, the Poultry Association in Sindh and Balochistan argued that a uniform rate for poultry sales is impractical. They insist that the diverse factors affecting chicken prices necessitate a daily assessment to reflect market dynamics accurately.

Food of five marquees in Faisalabad confiscated

This recent strike follows a similar protest last month in Rawalpindi and Islamabad by the poultry association against uniform chicken rates in Punjab. In response, poultry vendors in the twin cities halted the supply, and the wholesale market in Mandi Bagh Sardaran observed a complete shutter-down strike until local authorities met the demands outlined by the poultry association.

The Poultry Union’s spokesperson emphasized a consensus among wholesalers, retailers, and suppliers regarding pricing, asserting their inability to sell chicken meat below the cost. Furthermore, the spokesperson warned that the sale of chicken meat at the market would remain suspended until the local authorities resolve the ongoing pricing dispute.