Chicken price hike prompts public boycott

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RAWALPINDI:

Amid chicken price hikes, the Citizens Action Committee in Rawalpindi has announced a 30-day boycott of chicken meat, starting Sunday.

The prices of broiler meat have skyrocketed at the outset of the New Year in the garrison city to historic highs.

The Citizens Action Committee, led by Chairman Malik Zaheer Awan, has launched a social media campaign urging residents to boycott chicken and shift to vegetables instead.

"Our campaign aims to bring attention to this issue. Citizens must stand together to break this cycle of exploitation," Awan said.

The fresh surge has pushed the commodity meat beyond the reach of average consumers.

The surge has prompted widespread frustration among residents.

It has also increased the cost of chicken-based dishes, including BBQ, roast, and karahi, in eateries across the city.

Over the past three days, chicken prices have climbed steadily, with chicken meat now selling at Rs880 per kilogramme in the inner city and up to Rs900 per kilogramme in suburban areas.

Live chickens are being sold at Rs500 per kilogramme, a dramatic increase from Rs280 just two weeks ago.

According to Malik Zahid, Secretary General of the Poultry Association and Wholesale Dealers Organisation, the price surge is attributed to cold weather delaying the growth of chicks, resulting in high demand but low supply.