Citizens flock to cattle market despite rain warning

Come rain or shine, as Eidul Azha nears, thousands of citizens continue to flock to the cattle market on Super Highway. The downpour this past week could not deter citizens from visiting the market. Nor did it put a damper on the activities of motorcycle thieves, who have frequented the market this year.

At least 37 motorcycles and several automobile parts have been reported stolen from the parking area at the market. Videos revealing altercations between citizens and market staff in the parking area have also surfaced on social media. The visitors contend that the market management failed to provide sufficient security. Similar complaints at the Sohrab Goth cattle market led to the anti-vehicle lifting cell personnel standing vigilant in the area.

At the Super Highway market, however, the police have directed citizens to avoid parking their vehicles in areas where no security guards are present.

Angered by the theft of their motorcycles, the side mirrors, bumpers, wheels and other parts of their cars, citizens visiting the market allege that they incurred losses due to the negligence of the parking management at the markets.

Buyers have further complained that sacrificial cows and bulls are being sold at outrageous prices. They lament that there is no fixed mechanism to regulate the prices - the animals are not priced on the basis of their weight, age or health, for example, but instead, the rates are decided based on the whims of the sellers.

There is, however, some distinction in prices depending on the size of the animal. Smaller and weaker cows or bulls have been priced at Rs100,000 and more, slightly bigger ones at Rs120,000 to Rs200,000 and the larger bulls at over 400,000. Goats too are being sold at Rs40,000 to Rs60,000 or in the case of heavier goats, Rs70,000 to Rs100,000 or more.

Meanwhile, sellers contend that they reached the market after travelling long distances. They maintain that they reared the cattle all year round and deserve fair prices now.

Grand market

Despite the differences between the buyers and sellers the market is hugely successful. With nearly 500,000 animals, from across the country, up for sale, business is booming. Representing all four provinces, the sellers have brought bulls, cows, sheep, goats, camels and sacrificial animals of different breeds and nationalities.

According to the management, the market has been set up on 900 acres of land divided into 42 blocks.

Colourful lights, marquees providing shelter for the animals, their sellers and buyers, alike, and the excitement of Eid have people flocking to the market from across the city and nearby areas. The animals have been adorned with tassels and ornaments and are flaunted by the sellers. Some of the grander stalls feature bulls weighing in the range of 400 kilogrammes to 1,600 kilogrammes.

While most come with the intention to purchase sacrificial animals, others are there to simply admire the thousands of animals at the cattle market. Some of the popular animals, who attract a lot of visitors, include two bulls named Badshah and Bablu, other chand bail and sheep with five horns.

Although the raging pandemic appears to be of little concern to the huge crowds at the market, Yawar Raza, the spokesperson of the market, said that sanitizing walk-through gates have been installed at the entrance points. Besides, measures have been taken to ensure adequate sanitation in every block. All electric poles have also been covered as a safety measure given the monsoon season, he adds.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2021.