PM asks why is chicken so expensive

Without going into the debate if the chicken came first or the egg, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif grudgingly inquired from the authorities concerned on Monday why was chicken meat so expensive in the country if everything was under control and there was no shortage of anything.

Aware that chicken meat was becoming a luxury food item as its price whizzed past the Rs700 per kg mark, the premier asked the officials concerned “why was there an increase in the price of chicken if there is no shortage of food”.

The premier’s remarks came during a meeting on the availability and price control of essential items during Ramazan – a holy month when people annually grapple with buying essential food items because of the exorbitant rates – wherein he ordered “ruthless legal action against hoarders and profiteers”.

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While giving a free hand to the district administration and law enforcement agencies in the federation and provinces, PM Shehbaz said strict action should be taken against profiteers, hoarders and those overcharging.

In the meeting attended by the food minister and others, PM Shehbaz instructed that clean-up operations in godowns, shops and markets should be conducted before Ramazan. He also directed the officials to deal with an iron hand with all those overpricing people caught up in floods and facing economic difficulties.

Also, the PM tasked the federal government along with the chief minister of controlling the prices of commodities and availability in Ramazan. He directed the officials to take strict legal action against all those causing trouble to the people in the holy month of Ramazan. “Teach them a lesson,” he said.

Subsequently, PM Shehbaz while issuing a stern warning said that action will be taken against the officers of the areas concerned where there will be any disturbance in demand and supply or prices of the commodities. He then lashed out at the officials for not being able to control the prices of chicken meat.

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The PM reiterated that all those causing trouble to people in Ramazan should not be shown any leniency as legal action must be taken against them. He gave directions to arrest of all those involved in burdening people for profiteering.

Before Ramazan, PM also directed that the supply of quality items should be ensured at utility stores across the country, adding that mobile utility stores be set up in the holy month. “Take prayers of the people fasting during Sahar and Iftar,” he said.

Subsequently, PM Shehbaz also instructed to set up Sasta Ramazan Bazaars in the federation and provinces, directing that modern technology should be used to control prices in the bazaars. Despite all the directions, the official statement stated that the premier was briefed during the meeting that there is no shortage of food items, including wheat, anywhere in the country.