With Eidul Azha just around the corner, the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) and its affiliated Town Municipal Corporations have yet to designate or establish any official cattle markets in the second largest urban centre of Sindh.
The absence of designated sites has led to the unregulated sale of sacrificial animals at multiple locations in Hyderabad, severely disrupting traffic flow, deteriorating sanitation conditions, and raising safety concerns.
In the absence of official oversight, informal cattle markets have popped up on vacant plots and along busy roadsides in densely populated areas, including Latifabad and Phuleli.
Vendors have set up temporary markets at major intersections such as Barah-e-Rabiul Awwal Chowk to Bismillah City, Siddiq Plaza Chowk, Asma-e-Hasna Chowk, Khuda Hafiz Board Chowk, Chungi Naka Chowk, Auto Bhan Road, Goods Naka Road, Pakka Qila Charai, Guru Nagar Chowk, and Wapda Town.
Similar activity has been reported along the road from City Gate to Halla Naka Chowk, where evening gatherings for animal sales have become commonplace.
Due to extreme heat, most animal trading is taking place during evening and nighttime hours. While serious buyers remain relatively few at this stage, the sites continue to draw large crowds of onlookers.
The influx of animals and people at already congested junctions has worsened traffic conditions and led to a rise in minor road accidents. Agitated by vehicular noise and the blaring of horns, some animals have reportedly panicked, causing dangerous situations for both pedestrians and drivers. Adding to the urban strain is the worsening sanitation situation. Since the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board assumed responsibility for waste collection in Hyderabad, complaints about irregular and inadequate services have increased.
The unregulated sale of cattle has further exacerbated the problem. Animal fodder, dung, and general waste have piled up at various makeshift markets, emitting foul odors and posing a serious public health hazard. Shopkeepers and residents near these unauthorised sites have expressed growing frustration over the unsanitary conditions.
The issue was officially raised on May 7 during a session of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation meeting held at the Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium of the Sindh Museum. UC Chairman Gadu Mari of the PPP spoke about the specific problems caused by illegal cattle markets at Guru Nagar Chowk and Shahbaz Cinema Road, particularly the inconvenience to women and local residents.
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