LAKKI MARWAT: A family from Sheikhupura district of Punjab has arrived in the district along with six camels to sell milk in the city bazaars as the commodity is in great demand here.

Taking the advantage of rising demand of camel milk the camel keepers are selling the commodity at Rs200 per kg. The camel carriers roam the bazaars to attract the buyers. One of the camels also carries a poster attached to it, describing the usefulness of the milk, especially in curing different diseases. It says that camel milk can be helpful for those suffering from hepatitis, diabetes and joint pain.

In Lakki, while those living in rural localities use milk of cows and goats kept at homes, the people living in urban areas usually depend on the milk supplied from Punjab.

Local residents, especially traders, buy camel milk as they think it is healthier and easier to digest.

“We get 30kg milk from our six camels daily,” said Bilal, a young owner of the big animals. He said the milk was selling like hotcake in the city.

Bilal said the family spent around Rs3,000 to buy fodder for camels daily, but earned a lot more.

“The money is enough for the family living in tents on the outskirts of the city to make both ends meet,” he remarked.

Gul Tayaz, a journalist, said the camel milk was popular in the district as it was considered cold in nature and was mainly used in summer.

Dr Abdul Rehman, medical superintendent at the district headquarters hospital, said camel milk was healthier as it had more iron, vitamin C and proteins and less fats. “The antibodies are helpful to making the human immune system strong to fight different diseases,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2017