LAHORE:
Traders and buyers at cattle markets in Lahore have complained of overpricing and strict restrictions ahead of Eidul Azha.
Traders at the Shahpur Kanjran cattle market, the largest permanent livestock trading center in Punjab, alleged that animal access, fodder and space allotment charges were being charged above the officially approved rates, increasing the financial burden on sellers and ultimately driving sacrificial animal prices for buyers.
The complaints come as the Punjab government ramps up preparations for Eidul Azha, deploying municipal authorities and Suthra Punjab officials across the province to regulate cattle markets, ensure sanitation and crack down on illegal roadside stalls.
According to traders, the official entry fee is fixed at Rs200 for goats and Rs500 for large animals. However, several livestock sellers claimed they were charged as much as Rs 1,000. for large animals, while separate amounts were allegedly collected for fodder, straw and wheat fodder.
Traders claimed that feed troughs and smaller spaces inside the market were allotted for nearly Rs100,000 instead of the officially prescribed Rs60,000, while larger enclosures were reportedly rented out for Rs250,000 to Rs300,000.
“The animals were already expensive this year, but these extra charges have pushed the prices even higher,” said a trader from south Punjab.
Livestock sellers from various districts alleged that despite the Punjab government’s announcement of free entry to cattle markets, excessive fees were allegedly charged in several markets across the province, allegedly with contractors and some officials.
The controversy has arisen at a time when livestock markets across Lahore are witnessing slow trade despite a large supply of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid.
According to officials, Shahpur Kanjran alone has the capacity to accommodate 15,000 large and 45,000 small animals.
In addition, Punjab government has established five temporary cattle sale points at Saggian, Wagah Sports Complex, Barki Road, LDA City and Raiwind.
The temporary sales points can accommodate around 150,000 animals.
Despite the availability of animals, traders say buyer turnout remains lower than expected. “For the past week, most visitors have only been window shopping,” said a goat trader at the Saggian sales point. “People are negotiating heavily, but actual buying is still slow.”
Some buyers, meanwhile, complained that livestock prices were nearly 25 percent higher than last year.
“I have visited the market twice but the prices are prohibitive,” said Muhammad Ilyas, a visitor to the Saggian outlet. He urged the government to regulate prices.
However, the Punjab Cattle Market Management and Development Company (PCMMDC) rejected the allegations of overcharging and said contractors were charged as per the approved fee schedule. The company added that public notices were regularly published in the markets to inform traders and visitors about the official prices.
At the same time, the municipal authorities have intensified efforts against the sale of animals along the road and citizens who keep sacrificial animals outside their homes.
Officials of the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), municipal corporations and district administrations have issued warnings and challenges to cattle traders operating outside designated sale points.
