LAHORE: Chicken meat was sold at a record high price in thePunjabcapital on Sunday, as one kilogram chicken was available for Rs 228 to Rs 248.

The abnormal hike in chicken prices is due to short supply and high demand. Market sources say over 50 per cent poultry products are being smuggled to neighbouring countries for higher profits.    According to a survey, high chicken prices have gone beyond the reach of the common man.

A government employee, Abdul Qayyum, told APP that chicken was the only commodity they could buy because of its low prices. But now he is unable to purchase it for its high rates.

A housewife, Humaira Hassan, said her husband used to bring chicken thrice a week but now he could not afford chicken meat within a limited income.

Meanwhile, wholesale dealer Rafiq Ahmed at Tollington Market blamed a cartel for high prices. It fixes rates on a daily basis, he added.