Meat prices go beyond reach of common man amid coronavirus lockdown

Naheed Jahangir

PESHAWAR: The prices of meat are not coming down by any mean, therefore, it seems we will have to change our habit of eating meat.

These thoughts were expressed by citizens in Peshawar while talking to TNN. Umar Gul, a 55-year-old resident of Izhar Mohmandabad, said the price of meat was in the range of Rs360 per kg four months ago and then it suddenly jumped to Rs400 per kg and now after the coronavirus lockdown, it is now available at Rs450 per kg or even more. He said the situation is getting worse instead of getting better.

After economic crisis in Pakistan due to coronavirus pandemic, the prices of food items have witnessed an increase and meat price has also increased enormously. It has affected the middle and lower class people badly.

Khadija, a student living in Darwaishabad area of Peshawar, said people must adopt with changing times and situation. She said people must cooperate with the government in difficult times. She said reduction of use of a precious item seems to be the only solution during emergency times. She said prices will come down automatically when people reduce the use of precious items.

“The government has also closed cattle markets amid lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Customers are angry with us over high prices, but we have no other option,” said Siraj Khan, a butcher running a shop in Rashid Garhi area.

He said while talking to TNN that people were already perturbed due to inflation and the coronavirus emergency added to the already precarious situation. He said Peshawar is under lockdown and small businesses close automatically when large businesses are closed.

Siraj said he used to bring cattle from market and slaughter it with the help of his four brothers who are also in the same profession. He said markets are closed now and slaughter houses are providing meat on high prices. He said customers are not happy and butchers are also facing problems due to lockdown.

He said the government should check the meat at slaughter houses being provided to butchers and then decide its price mechanism to satisfy the customers.