KARACHI, Feb 10: The city government has failed to check the temporary cattle markets mushrooming across the city. Weeks earlier it had repeatedly announced that it would not allow such markets within the city limits.

It had set up a market for sacrificial animals on Super Highway well before the sighting of the Eidul Azha moon. Cattle from the interior of Sindh and Punjab had begun arriving at the market site earlier than they were actually needed. But the setting up of the market was not enough to prevent mini-markets from springing up. Gradually they grew in number and sizes.

Now these mini-markets are literally at every nook and corner of the city. Meat sellers have tied up cows, bulls and goats in front of their shops. There are markets at the roadsides, in the narrow streets, some covered with kanats on the sides. To avoid the authorities, some free-lance cattle dealers have found very convenient places with boundaries walls, which they have packed with animals. Some traders just lead and herd their animals through the streets and allow people to bargain for the animals.

Most seasonal traders buy animals at the main market and transport them to the city to reap profits at the cost of buyers who are unaware of the price trend at the main market.

Many find it convenient to buy animals near their homes. Others say these traders are making undue profits. Many residents, however, call it a sort of nuisance as the presence of cattle in the street in large numbers inevitably means insanitation.

The city government has, apparently, turned a blind eye to the issue and does not bother the owners of animals. Almost half a million animals to have arrived at the main market. A similar number is present in the city.

People selling fodder are also making big profits. Almost every household has an animal, or a share in one, and every animal needs to be fed.

A positive aspect of these mini-markets is that the sacrificial animals are cheaper this year than the last year, when the ban on such market was strictly enforced. But much depends on how hard one can bargain for an animal. For example, at the mini-market set up along Sunset Boulevard a shepherd demanded Rs5,000 for a particular goat. A few paces from it, for a goat of the same length and breadth its owner demanded Rs7,000 and finally accepted Rs4,300.

She-goats sell cheaper than he-goats. People, however, prefer a calf to a bull.—NA