RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi district administration failed to implement the official prices of meat as the commodity’s prices continued to skyrocket in the garrison city and adjoing areas.

The rates were recently formulated but only to be displayed at shops without implementation.

Moreover, vendors were seen openly defying the rate list and fleecing customers during the holy month of Ramazan.

The price magistrates seemed helpless in the face of stubborn wholesalers and retailers.

On Sunday, mutton was being sold at Rs2,600 per kg against the officially fixed price of Rs1,600 per kg and beef was being sold at Rs1,600 per kg against the official price of Rs800 per kg across various markets in the city.

Chicken prices soared to new heights as live chicken was being sold at Rs550-600 and chicken meat at Rs980 per kg against the official prices of Rs412 per kg and Rs597 per kg respectively.

“Meat prices have spiralled out of the layman’s reach and the government has failed to reign in the prices of grains too,” said Riaz Shah, a visitor at Raja Bazaar. He said that the price hike badly affected consumers.

The resident said that the government should monitor the prices of daily-use items and ensure the implementation of its official price list.

Another visitor Alam Zeb said that the working class people were facing a lot of problems in making both ends meet due to the unbridled price hikes.

He said that grains have also become prized items.

Inam Raja, a resident of Bostan Khan Road said that consumers were unable to buy mutton and beef due to increased prices.

“Doctors advise including meat in diet after a weak but we are not able to provide the essential food item to our children,” he said.

While talking to Dawn, Zaheer Ahmed, a butcher, said that the butchers of the garrison city rejected the prices of mutton and beef fixed by the district authorities as they were formulated without consultation with key stakeholders.

“The bureaucracy fixed the rates while sitting in comfortable rooms without knowing the ground realities and created problems for buyers and sellers,” he said.

He suggested that if the government was interested in bringing down the prices of mutton and beef in the country, it would impose a ban on the export of animals and meat.

When contacted, Assistant Commissioner Saddar Hakim Khan said that the price magistrates were working to implement the price list issued by the administration on March 1.

When asked about the difference between the meat prices in the open market and the official list, Mr Toor said that the CDGR fixed the meat price in consultation with the local representatives of the butchers. He said that the price magistrates would take stern action against those selling the meat at higher prices.

“Ahead of Eid, various meat sellers artificially increase the prices in different areas. The district administration has taken serious steps against violators in all tehsils, especially in Rawalpindi, to facilitate the public,” he said.

He added that a total of 458 Shops were inspected and fines worth Rs584,500 were imposed on 20 shops. The official said that 35 violators were arrested on Sunday alone.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025