Buyers Decry Lack of Oversight, Traders Blame Rising Costs
LAHORE:
As Lahore celebrates Eid-ul-Adha, attention has shifted from bustling cattle markets to ritual animal sacrifices. However, the occasion has been overshadowed by mounting concerns over the steep rise in livestock prices and the apparent failure to regulate pricing and safety standards.
In the days preceding Eid, the city’s cattle markets swelled with buyers and livestock trucked in from regions like South Punjab. Yet, amid the festive atmosphere, many shoppers voiced frustration over inflated prices they deemed unreasonable.
“A calf or bull that cost between Rs150,000 and Rs250,000 last year is now going for Rs350,000 to Rs500,000,” said Muhammad Hanif, shopping at Shahpur Kanjran Cattle Market. “Even goats and sheep are being sold for as much as Rs250,000 to Rs300,000.”
Kamran Bhatti, a resident of Valencia Town, echoed the frustration. “There’s no pricing regulation at all. Sellers are quoting arbitrary figures—some even asking up to a million rupees for a pair of small animals,” he said, calling for the government to promote domestic breeding and invest in livestock farming as a long-term solution.
On the other hand, livestock traders attributed the price surge to escalating operational costs.
“We’re not profiteering—our own expenses have surged,” said Sadaqat Ali, a trader who brought animals from Multan. “With fuel prices, transportation, and labor costs rising, we have no choice but to adjust our prices. If the government tackles these issues, livestock rates will naturally decline.”
To facilitate safe and organized trading, the Lahore district administration set up six official cattle markets. Alongside the main facility at Shahpur Kanjran, five temporary markets were opened in strategic locations, including Haveli Markaz near Spring Mill (Raiwind zone), the Sports Complex near Adda Rakh Chabeel (Wahga zone), LDA City on Defence Road (Nishtar zone), Mouza Nain Sukh near Saggian Bridge (Ravi zone), and Burki Road near Paragon City (Cantonment zone).
In an effort to maintain public order and hygiene during Eid, the Punjab government also enforced Section 144 across the province from June 5 to June 11.
