PESHAWAR: The district administration of Peshawar on Tuesday imposed a ban on the export of poultry and cattle to Afghanistan to check skyrocketing meat prices in the holy month of Ramazan.

According to a circular issued from Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud’s office, the ban on export of chicken and beef to Afghanistan has been imposed for a month under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The circular reads that those found in violation of the district government’s order will be dealt as violators of section 144.

Peshawar’s district administration claims the decision to ban meat exports was taken in order to bring down climbing prices of poultry and beef in the provincial capital.

Illegal export of mutton, beef, chicken and live animals to Afghanistan has been going on for decades, often impacting the local market, especially on occasions such as Eidul Azha and Ramazan.