RAWALPINDI: While Eidul Azha is just two days away, shopping for sacrificial animals failed to pick up momentum in the garrison city due to higher prices and sizzling hot weather.
A visit to the cattle markets showed that herds of cows, bulls and goats had arrived from various parts of the country, but there were fewer buyers.
Usually, shopping for sacrificial animals picks up momentum a week before Eidul Azha. However, this year even those purchasing animals are avoiding keeping sacrificial animals in their houses due to the hot weather.
Many people also have opted for joint sacrifice of animals instead of buying goats or sheep. Cows, bulls and camels have seven shares each and small animals like goats and sheep have only one.
Higher prices and sizzling hot weather keep buyers away from cattle markets set up away from city areas
The trend of joint sacrifice has been increasing for the last a few years as the purchasing power of people is badly affected due to the rising inflation.
During the market visit, people were mostly found going for cows or bulls. “The price of goats and sheep has increased; however, bulls and cows are also selling high, but sharing the price makes it possible for people to offer sacrifice on Eid,” said Mohammad Arslan at the I-12 cattle market on I.J. Principal Road.
He said the price of a goat and sheep in good health ranged from Rs100,000 to Rs160,000, but one can find a cow or bull for Rs260,000, and it was affordable for a joint sacrifice.
“I came to the market to check the prices. In the hot weather it will be difficult to keep cattle in the house. I have planned to purchase an animal on the eve of Eid,” said Naseer Ahmed, a buyer at Ghazni Road.
Mehmood Mughal said the local administration had set up cattle markets away from the city and the transport charges were higher due to the rising petroleum prices.
He said that cows or bulls were seen in a large number compared to goats and sheep this year. Moreover, the available goats were of smaller size.
Raees Malik, a resident of Chaklala Scheme-III, said that he had bought a cow from Jaffar Mandi. He said that he would suggest that people should buy cows or bulls and share with relatives.
Mohammad Naz, a resident of Nayya Mohallah, bought a sheep at Rs150,000. He said he had to keep the animal in a cooler place to avoid any ailment to it. He suggested to citizens to purchase sacrificial animals a day before Eid.
Meanwhile, sellers were worried and said they would not want to go back with animals.
“In the hot weather, it is difficult to keep animals healthy. The administration failed to provide facilities like water in the sale points and cattle markets,” said Mohammad Riaz, who came from Fatehjang to sell his animals.
Mohammad Nawaz, a vendor at Bhatta Chowk, also said that the cantonment board failed to provide water and other facilities in the market. “We have to fetch water from adjoining areas for our animals,” he said.
On the other hand, people complained that staffers of the contractor at Bhatta Chowk cattle market were asking for more money from buyers.
The RCB awarded the contract of the cattle market and imposed a fee on sellers and vendors. They are being charged Rs4,000 and Rs5,000 per animal as an entry fee.
However, buyers alleged that armed staff deployed on the exit gates of the cattle market did not allow people to take out sacrificial animals without payment of an additional fee.
Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2026
