Chicken boycott drive kicks off

In response to the relentless surge in chicken prices in the open market, a social media-driven chicken boycott campaign has been initiated for 15 days in the garrison city.

Citizens and civil society organisations have jointly announced this campaign as a means to protest against the exorbitant rates of the commodity.

Currently, live chicken is being sold at Rs440 per kg in the open market and Rs450 per kg in suburban areas, while chicken meat is priced at Rs650 per kg in urban areas and Rs670 per kg in the suburbs.

This upward trajectory in prices marks a historic high in the country, with Price Control Magistrates appearing to be helpless in their attempts to curb the escalation.

The Poultry Association Vice President Farooq Abbasi explained that the sudden surge in the value of the dollar has led to a 100% increase in the costs of chicken feed, medicines, and raw materials. Consequently, smaller chicken breeding centres are being forced to shut down.

He further asserted that once the prices of chicken feed and medicines stabilise, the price of chicken will also decrease accordingly.

Tanzeem-e-Huqooq-e-Sheharyan Chairman Sharif Qureshi expressed disappointment in the ineffective measures taken by the price magistrates. Qureshi urged citizens to abstain from consuming chicken for 15 days, suggesting that this would result in a decrease in chicken prices. He advised the public to opt for alternatives such as mutton or beef when hosting guests instead of chicken. Qureshi emphasised the importance of nationwide participation in the chicken boycott campaign, which is set to commence on May 31. He assured that after 24 hours of this collective action, positive outcomes will begin to materialise.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2023.