With Eid-ul-Azha just five days away, activity at Karachi’s Northern Bypass cattle market has intensified, as buyers rush to purchase sacrificial animals. Reports indicate that the prices of these animals have decreased slightly, bringing some relief to consumers. To date, over 80,000 animals have been sold in the bustling market.
Several buyers noted that prices have fallen by approximately five percent compared to the initial days of the market opening. In an interesting event, a tourist family from Poland recently visited the Northern Bypass cattle market and expressed their surprise at the vibrant scene.
The central cattle market for sacrificial animals, located at Taiser Town on the Northern Bypass, has been operational since May 10, 2024. Local authorities are committed to providing various facilities for both buyers and traders, including food courts, ATMs, and designated parking areas.
Security measures are also a priority, with law enforcement agencies setting up police pickets to ensure safety. Last year, the administration of the main sacrificial cattle market on the Karachi Northern Bypass reported generating business activity worth Rs 8 billion during the Eid ul Adha season. Previously, the traditional cattle market was set up in the Sohrab Goth area of Karachi, but it has since moved to the Northern Bypass in District West.
In the previous year, around 700,000 sacrificial animals were brought to the market, with 600,000 of them being sold, marking a record-breaking figure. Additionally, the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) noted that 6,360,000 animals were sacrificed during Eid ul Adha in 2023, although there was a noticeable 28% to 30% reduction in the number of animals sacrificed compared to previous years.