Rising chicken prices: Shopkeepers ignore official rate list

ISLAMABAD: With the arrival of Ramazan, the prices of chicken along with other commodities have skyrocketed as the shopkeepers continue to defy the official rate list and price control magistrates are nowhere to be seen.

The official price of chicken is set at Rs 595 (meat)per kg in Islamabad, but it is being sold for Rs 700 per kg in markets.

As Ramadan begins, hoarders and profiteers have become active, selling essential items at arbitrary prices, completely ignoring official rates.

Artificial inflation has become rampant, with profiteers exploiting consumers while the district administration remains a silent spectator.

Vendors claim they cannot sell chicken at official rates due to high procurement costs.

Fruits and vegetables are also being sold at inflated prices. Apples, officially priced at Rs300 per kg, are being sold for Rs350. Bananas are priced at Rs270 per dozen but are being sold for Rs300. Guavas cost Rs250 per kg instead of Rs220, while melons, priced at Rs140 per kg, are being sold for Rs160. Grapes, with an official price of Rs305 per kg, are being sold for Rs350.

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Similarly, vegetable prices have skyrocketed. Potatoes are being sold for Rs70 per kg instead of Rs55, onions for Rs100 instead of Rs75, and tomatoes for Rs70 instead of Rs40. Ginger, officially priced at Rs370 per kg, is being sold for Rs400, while garlic, set at Rs600 per kg, is being sold for Rs800.