In recent days, the price of chicken in Multan has witnessed a sharp increase, creating a ripple effect across the food industry, particularly impacting biryani—a staple at weddings and special events.

As of Sunday, chicken prices skyrocketed from Rs400 per kilogram to Rs530 per kilogram within a week. This spike has directly impacted the cost of preparing biryani, a dish central to most celebrations. For instance, the price of a 14-kilogram pot of biryani has risen from Rs11,000 to Rs13,000.

The consequences of this price hike are deeply felt by both consumers and businesses. A local resident shared their ordeal:

“My cousin’s wedding was last week, and we ordered 10 biryani pots for Rs110,000. Now, the same order costs Rs135,000. We had barely managed to gather the money.”

Biryani shop owners are also bearing the brunt of this inflation. Muhammad Ahmad, a biryani vendor, explained:

“We were buying chicken at Rs400 per kilo just a week ago. Now, the price has gone up to Rs510 to Rs520 per kilo. Clearly, when the cost of chicken rises, the price of a biryani pot increases by Rs1,500 to Rs2,000.”

The local community is increasingly voicing its concerns, urging the authorities to address this issue and stabilize chicken prices. The affordability of biryani—a dish synonymous with celebrations and cultural pride—now hangs in the balance.