Ramazan inflation hits meat prices

QUETTA:

Escalating inflation has deepened the woes of residents in the provincial capital, with sharp increases in the prices of essential meats placing an unbearable burden on middle and low-income families, especially during the holy month of Ramazan.

According to market sources, mutton prices have climbed from Rs2,200 per kilogram to as high as Rs2,500 per kg in recent days. Beef has risen from Rs1,400 to Rs1,600 per kg, while chicken meat has jumped from Rs550 to Rs640 per kg. These hikes come on top of already elevated costs for daily groceries, further straining household budgets at a time when demand for meat traditionally rises for iftar and sahar meals.

Residents expressed deep frustration, noting that everyday food items were already expensive before this latest surge. "The increase in meat and chicken prices has severely disrupted our family budgets during Ramazan," one local shopper told The Express Tribune. Many families are forced to cut back on protein-rich foods or opt for cheaper, less nutritious alternatives.

In response to widespread complaints of overcharging, the district administration has ramped up its crackdown on profiteers. Officials reported that 125 shopkeepers have been arrested and 37 shops sealed during enforcement operations aimed at curbing illegal price hikes.

Deputy Commissioner Quetta Mehrullah Badini emphasized zero tolerance for profiteering. "There will be no leniency toward those exploiting the public," he stated.