KARACHI, Oct 20: Although the city government is still insisting on a drastic cut in the prices of meat, from Rs 220 per kg to Rs 170, the meat-sellers are reluctant to sell the commodity on reduced rates.

The issue of meat prices resurfaced in Ramazan as price regulators got powers and started laying a heavy hand on profiteers.

Like the previous year, the meat merchants have again challenged the city government decision to fix meat prices.

The city government officials claims that the rates have been fixed in the larger interest of the common man while the meat merchants said the official rates have been fixed without conducting a proper homework on the prevailing rates in markets, as well as availability of the livestock.

Although the city government officials have, so far, not shown any flexibility in their attitude regarding acceptance of the demands of the Meat Merchants Welfare Association, the meat merchants continue to defy the orders, and are instead approaching higher authorities in the Sindh government for a relief.

A delegation of the Meat Merchants Welfare Association on Wednesday went to the Chief Minister's House, but they could not meet Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim because of his preoccupation with a cabinet meeting.

The association members finally held talks with the additional secretary, Dr Mohammad Ali, and informed him that the city government had fixed unrealistic prices, without consulting them and that it was not possible for them to sell meat on official rates.

The additional secretary listened to the grievances of the meat-sellers and asked the secretary of livestock, Sikandar Kherio, to approach the city government officials for enforcing pre-Ramazan prices.

The secretary rang up the EDO of Enterprise and Investment Promotion, City government, Raeesuddin Paracha, and issued him directives to allow meat merchants to sell mutton and beef at pre-Ramazan rates.

The official, however, refused to act upon the decision because the orders have not come directly from the chief minister.

He asked the secretary of livestock to contact the DCO, Mir Hussain Ali, or the City Nazim, Naimatullah Khan, as only these top officials of the city government were authorized to take a final decision.

According to general secretary of the MMWA, Iqbal Qureishi, the secretary also asked the city government official to ensure supply of livestock if its price regulators stick to the official rate of Rs 170 per kg in the city.

Mr Qureshi said he also contacted Raeesuddin Paracha, informing him about the outcome of his meeting with the additional secretary, Dr Mohammad Ali.

As no final decision could be taken on meat prices on Wednesday, the meat merchants planned to meet the DCO and other city government officials on Thursday to seek implementation of the instructions of the additional secretary.

Sources said that meat merchants are likely to meet Raeesuddin Paracha on Thursday prior to their meeting with the DCO in the day.

Iqbal Qureshi said it was virtually impossible for them to ensure retail sale of mutton on Rs 170 per kg as against the prevailing rates of Rs 220 per kg.

Market is short of livestock and a sizable number of animals is being smuggled out to Iran and Afghanistan. Besides, meat is also being exported, he said, by justifying his demand for sale of meat at higher rates in Ramazan.

It is still not clear whether the top officials of the Sindh government would be able to dictate their terms or budge to pressure.

The Nazim, the DCO and the EDO have been making efforts to announce the retail and wholesale prices of the commodities after mutual consultations with the stake-holders.