Karachi: Poultry Shopkeepers to Strike Over Chicken Prices

KARACHI, March, 2025- Poultry shopkeepers will go on strike in provincial capital. The Sindh Poultry and Retailers Association has announced a citywide strike, with poultry shops set to remain closed from Thursday, citing their inability to sell chicken at the government-approved rates.

Rao Muhammad Afzal, President of the association, stated that the strike would continue until poultry farmers comply with the government-set rates and adequate supply is ensured. This move comes after the Commissioner of Karachi fixed the retail price of chicken at Rs 640 per kg, but reports show that chicken was being sold for up to Rs 750 per kg in the city.

Afzal criticized poultry farms for selling live chickens at Rs 490, far above the official rate of Rs 400, making it impossible for shopkeepers to meet the prescribed price. He further alleged that poultry farmers were intentionally withholding stock to create an artificial shortage, thereby driving up prices.

The situation has been exacerbated by the government’s recent enforcement actions, with fines of up to Rs 1 lakh being imposed on shopkeepers for failing to comply with the official price. On the other hand, poultry farmers argue that production has been low due to the increased demand for chicken, preventing them from meeting the promised price reductions for Ramadan.