Peshawar:
As Eid-Ul-Adha is approaching, cattle markets over Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are busy with activity. However, the exorbitant prices and the absence of appropriate health measures in these markets have raised concerns among both buyers and animal health experts.
Peshawar’s district administration has officially appointed two major cattle markets for the festive season, with one on Ring Road and the other in Lala Kalay.
These markets draw livestock from all over the country, including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and various other regions of Punjab.
However, dealers who bring in animals sell them at significantly high prices, often without regulatory supervision.
Muhammad Haroon Khan, resident of Peshawar, who visited the Ring Road market to buy a sacrificial animal, Express Pakinomist said that the prices of the livestock have been skyrocketing in the last year. “An animal in ordinary size that would cost around RS2 to 3 Lakhs last year is now price between RS3 to 5 Lakhs. Even smaller animals that sheep and goats sell for RS1 to 5 lakhs each.
The administration accuses RS1.500 per Animals from the traders, yet no veterinary control or relief to the public provides. There are no veterinarians on site to assess the health of the animals, “Khan claimed.
Naeemullah Khan, another visitors from Peshawar, repeated similar concerns.
“Der er ingen prisregulering. Hver sælger kræver den pris, de ønsker, med nogle, der spørger op til Rs10 lakh for et lille dyr. Regeringen skal implementere et check- og balance -system. Livestoksafdelingen har ressourcer, men hvor er deres præstationer? Hvis afdelingen skulle investere i at udvikle lokale husdyrbedrifter og understøtter mælkeopdræt inden for provinsen, ville det ikke kun skabe beskæftigelse, men også at være overkommelige dyr are available for EID every year.
On the other side of the rock are livestock traders. Ramzan Ali, a cattle dealer who brought animals from Multan to Peshawar, defended the high prices. “There is a story in the media that dealers are taking advantage of buyers but reality is different. We have even bought these animals at very high prices. We are not in the industry for loss; we are only looking for fair profits. Increasing operating costs, including fuel prices, transport costs, and work costs have all increased. If the government can reduce fuel costs or standardize transport, Ali.
When he was contacted for a comment, a senior official from the livestock department, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Express Pakinomist that the department had taken steps to secure animal welfare in the markets.
“We have assigned a veterinary doctor and a disinfection sprayer to each market. If there is an animal sick, free medicine has been given. Banners with hygiene have been placed around the cattle markets, and no public attention has been reported to educate people to prevent the spread of diseases, including the potentially fatal congo virus. This season, but we are actively working to change to take revenge and they damage the award and the publicity informed, “said the official, who maintained that the livestock department despite limited resources strived to provide as many services as possible.
As the countdown to Eid-Ul-Adha continues, citizens remain hopeful that better regulation and government supervision will make the festive victims more accessible and safer for everyone.
