Sink pivot rod is stuck, appears to be attached to sink stopper

It may have a chunk of hair on it wiggle up and down while pulling out. Be prepared to pull the trap as everything stuck on this shaft will possibly slip down 1 wife , 3 girls , 6 granddaughters and all but one has very long hair , I have to clean drains in my current house all the time I liked my 3 bath house better I did not have to do it so often.

Yes. Tons of hair stuck is usually the problem! I started by using a plastic “hair snake” to remove hair and gunk. I then twisted and turned the stopper both ways. Tapped on the ball of the rod with a hammer. Finally after much effort, I yanked out the stopper and rod saw that the rod had corroded and that’s what prevented me from removing the stopper. Will be inexpensive and a breeze to put in a new stopper and pop up rod.