Lahore:
As Lahore observes Eid-UL-Adha today, the emphasis has gone from animated livestock markets to traditional sacrifices that mark the festival. However, many citizens express their concern concerning the outbreak of the cost of livestock and the ineffective application of regulations on prices and security.
In the days preceding Eid, the livestock markets across the city were filled with buyers and animals from regions such as southern Punjab. However, despite the festive spirit, buyers were frustrated by what they say to be unjustified price increases.
“A calf or a bull that costs between 150,000 rupees and 250,000 rupees last year is now sold for Rs350,000 to Rs500,000,” said Muhammad Hanif, buyer of the Shahpur Kanjran cattle market.
“Even goats and sheep are as high as RS250,000 to Rs300,000.”
Kamran Bhatti, a resident of the city of Valence, echoes the feeling. “There is no pricing mechanism. The sellers quote what they want-some require up to a million rupees for a pair of small animals,” he said.
“The government should promote local farming and invest in breeding to stabilize the market and generate a job.”
Breeding merchants, however, blamed the increase in prices for the increase in operational costs.
“We do not overload – our own costs have increased considerably,” said Sadaqat Ali, a merchant who brought Multan animals.
“High fuel prices, transport costs and labor wages have increased our general costs. If the government solves these problems, livestock prices will drop automatically.”
To ensure organized and hygienic trade, the administration of the Lahore district has established six official livestock markets. In addition to the permanent market of Shahpur Kanjran, five temporary installations have been installed in key places across the city, notably Haveli Markaz near Spring Mill (Raiwind Zone), the sports complex near the Adda Rakh Chabel (Wahga area), LDA City on Defense Road (Nishtar zone), Mouza Nain (Ravi Road), and Mouza Dwarf Sukh Prother Saggian Bridge (Ravi Road), and Mouza Nain Sukh Bridge (Canton area). In order to maintain public order and sanitation, the Punjab government also imposed article 144 throughout the province from June 5 to 11.
