LAHORE, Feb 23 (APP): The Punjab government has termed reports by certain media channels regarding an increase in chicken prices as exaggerated.
According to the spokesperson for Food Safety here on Monday, the facts were distorted in these reports and an attempt was made to mislead the public, which has been rejected.
According to official government data, chicken prices in Punjab are stable and have remained significantly lower during the current Ramadan compared to last year. On February 1, the price of chicken was Rs 519 per kilogram, which has now decreased to Rs 461 per kilogram. In Lahore, chicken is being sold at Rs 446 per kilogram, in Karachi at Rs 574 per kilogram, and in Quetta at Rs 563 per kilogram.
In Ramadan Sahulat bazaars, relief is being provided to the public, with chicken available at 15 rupees less per kilogram and eggs 10 rupees less per dozen. In Lahore, 47 sale points have been established to ensure the supply of subsidized chicken.
Price Control Magistrates are active in the markets and are strictly monitoring prices. Action against profiteers is also ongoing. So far, raids have been conducted at more than 69,000 locations, 29 cases have been registered, 351 individuals have been arrested, and fines exceeding Rs 5.5 million have been imposed.
Meanwhile, Food and Consumer Protection Department Secretary Dr. Kiran Khurshid, visited the Kahna Vegetable and Fruit Market to review the prices and quality of food items. She directed that full compliance with the official price list be ensured through the digital system and ordered immediate legal action against violators.
The Punjab government and the Food Safety and Consumer Protection department have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the availability of essential commodities at official prices and maintaining price stability so that relief could be provided to every citizen.