RAWALPINDI, Jan 20: The butchers in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have increased the prices of meat by over Rs50 per kilogramme. Last year, mutton was available at Rs120 per kg, but now it was being sold at Rs170.

Similarly, rate of tender beef is fixed at Rs90 per kg, while beef of older animals and buffaloes is being sold at over Rs75. Residents of the twin cities, who are suffering from the increase in prices, have strongly criticized this situation.

Meanwhile, the butchers have termed smuggling of meet, especially to Arab states, the main reason behind the price-hike. Jamiatul Quresh Meat Welfare Association president Khursheed Qureshi told this reporter that the country was facing meat shortage owing to continued smuggling.

He said the smuggled meat was being sold at about Rs460 per kg abroad. There is no chance of cut in meat prices unless the illegal export is halted, he added.

Mr Qureshi said due to this illegal business, 45 per cent of the butchers had given up meat business and closed their shops. Rawalpindi District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani, when contacted, termed this increase illegal and said action would be taken against the law violators.

Replying to a question about the smuggling and export of meat, Mr Kiani said it was just an excuse to raise the prices. Export of animals might be there, but not to the extent the butchers claim, he added.