RAWALPINDI, Nov 17: The end of Ramazan has brought an unprecedented increase of Rs15-25 per kilogramme in meat prices. The butchers are now selling beef at Rs120 per kg and mutton at Rs200 per kg instead of the official rate of Rs90 and Rs185 per kg respectively.

President All Pakistan Jamiatul Quresh Meat Welfare Association Khursheed Ahmad Qureshi justified the increase in meat prices saying that during Eid days demand for meat had outstripped supply that caused a surge in prices.

He denied the impression of increase in meat prices saying that under an agreement reached between the association and the district administration prior to the advent of Ramazan, the rates of beef and mutton had been fixed at Rs90 and Rs185 per kg respectively.

It was Ramazan package and now old prices have been restored, he said, adding that actually there had been no rise in meat prices. He attributed the overall increase in prices to export of cattle head and meat to Afghanistan.