Chicken & Meat Prices Hit Record Highs Across Pakistan, Sparking Public Outrage

Meat prices across Pakistan are hitting record highs, with both chicken and red meat being sold way above the government’s official rates — causing public frustration and putting pressure on authorities to step in. In cities like Islamabad and Rawalpindi, chicken meat is being sold at jaw-dropping prices between Rs 900 to Rs 1,200 per kg, while live chicken is going for Rs 540 to Rs 650, despite official rates being much lower. In Rawalpindi, for example, the live broiler chicken price is officially capped at Rs 412, but it’s being sold for up to Rs 580.

A major loophole is making things worse: while the Punjab government sets prices for live chicken, it hasn’t regulated the price of processed broiler meat, which sellers are now using to their advantage. In Lahore, regular broiler meat is being sold for Rs 750, with special cuts like Safi meat going up to Rs 880 per kg. Many meat shops aren’t even displaying the official price lists, adding to the chaos.

Multan has seen a sharp rise too, with chicken prices going from Rs 412 to Rs 700 per kg, and Karachi is reporting chicken rates as high as Rs 850, while the official cap is Rs 650.

Red meat is no different — also seeing massive price jumps. In Rawalpindi, large meat that’s officially priced at Rs 800 per kg is being sold for Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,500, and small meat, officially Rs 1,600, is being sold for up to Rs 2,300. Karachi’s goat meat has hit insane highs of Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,800 per kg, way above the Rs 2,000 official limit.

Even boneless heifer meat in Karachi is going for Rs 1,600 per kg, and boned meat at Rs 1,400, whereas the official prices are Rs 1,150 and Rs 1,000 respectively.

With prices spiraling and no proper enforcement in place, consumer groups and the public are calling on the government to urgently enforce price controls, take action against profiteers, and fix the broken regulatory system before things get even worse.