MY recent visit to season five of the cattle show held at the Expo Centre in Karachi was a massive disappointment. I expected the exhibition, a joint venture between an event management company and the Dairy, Agriculture and Livestock Farmers Association (DALFA), to be a professional affair, especially because it was the fifth edition of the event, but it was anything but.
The cattle show, which could have really been an enjoyable event for Karachi’s fun-starved public, was spoiled mainly because of widespread mismanagement. Free entry led to an overwhelming influx of visitors, resulting in severe traffic congestion stretching as far as the Lyari Expressway.
Within the venue, the situation was equally chaotic. Families, particularly women, struggled to even catch a glimpse of the animals amid pushing crowds, poor crowd control, and a general lack of considerate behaviour.
Such events are actually meant to provide healthy recreation and learning oppor-tunities for citizens, but the absence of basic planning turned the experience into one of discomfort and frustration. The organisers must take corrective measures. Separate arrangements for families, clearly defined queue systems, and designated pathways are essential to the task of ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
Introducing a modest entry fee could help regulate the crowd size. Facilities for persons with disabilities, including wheelchair-accessible paths and ramps, must also be incorporated.
Additionally, the presence of trained volunteers and clear signage would greatly assist in guiding visitors and maintaining order. Parking management requires urgent attention. Vehicles should not be allowed to clog roads surrounding the venue, and multiple entry and exit points must be established to ease both pedestrian and vehicular movement.
Karachi’s citizens yearn for quality, well-organised public events. They deserve experiences that uplift, not exhaust them. Now it is the resposibility of the authorities concerned and organisers to take note and ensure better planning in the future.
Syed Muhammad Irtiza Wahidi
Karachi
Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026
