The relentless rise in the prices of broiler chicken meat in Rawalpindi continues, making it increasingly difficult for many residents to afford basic food items.

Live chicken is currently sold at Rs520 per kilogram, while chicken meat costs Rs850 per kilogram. Shopkeepers report a significant decline in customers, as the steep wholesale prices force them to charge high retail rates. “We cannot sell at lower prices when the wholesale market itself is so expensive,” said a shop owner from Alahabad Market.

The price hike isn’t limited to chicken. Vegetables and fruits in the open market have also seen an alarming increase. Onions are priced between Rs150-200 per kilogram, potatoes at Rs100, and tomatoes at Rs250.

Other items like ginger and garlic are being sold for Rs720 and Rs520 per kilogram, respectively. Fruits, too, have become unaffordable for many, with oranges at Rs200 per dozen, apples at Rs250-300 per kilogram, and pomegranates at Rs500.

Citizens express frustration at the government’s inability to control inflation. While authorities issue daily price lists for chicken, vegetables, and fruits, these rates are largely ignored in the open market. Shopkeepers and buyers operate independently of official rates, highlighting the failure of the price control system.

For low-income families, affording chicken, vegetables, and fruits has become a challenge, as government promises of curbing inflation remain unfulfilled.