LAHORE:

As Lahore observes Eid-ul-Adha today, the focus has shifted from bustling cattle markets to the traditional sacrifices that mark the festival. However, many citizens are expressing concern over the soaring cost of livestock and the ineffective enforcement of price and safety regulations.

In the days leading up to Eid, cattle markets across the city were packed with buyers and animals arriving from regions such as South Punjab. Yet despite the festive spirit, shoppers were left frustrated by what they say were unjustified price hikes.

“A calf or bull that cost between Rs150,000 and Rs250,000 last year is now being sold for Rs350,000 to Rs500,000,” said Muhammad Hanif, a buyer at the Shahpur Kanjran Cattle Market.

“Even goats and sheep are priced as high as Rs250,000 to Rs300,000.”

Kamran Bhatti, a resident of Valencia Town, echoed the sentiment. “There’s no pricing mechanism at all. Sellers are quoting whatever they want—some are demanding up to a million rupees for a pair of small animals,” he said.

“The government should promote local breeding and invest in livestock farming to stabilise the market and generate employment.”

Livestock traders, however, blamed the increased prices on rising operational costs.

“We’re not overcharging—our own costs have gone up significantly,” said Sadaqat Ali, a trader who brought animals from Multan.

“High fuel prices, transport expenses, and labour wages have pushed up our overheads. If the government addresses these issues, livestock prices will automatically come down.”

To ensure organised and hygienic trading, the Lahore district administration established six official cattle markets. In addition to the permanent market at Shahpur Kanjran, five temporary facilities were set up at key locations across the city, 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 a bid to maintain public order and sanitation, the Punjab government also imposed Section 144 across the province from June 5 to June 11.