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DERA ISMAIL KHAN , Jun 02 (APP):With the arrival of Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner, cattle markets across Dera Ismail Khan are witnessing a significant surge in activity. The demand for sacrificial animals—including goats, sheep, cows, and bulls—has reached its peak, but the rapidly increasing prices have left many citizens frustrated and disappointed.
Dozens of temporary cattle markets have been set up in and around the city, drawing traders from various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Buyers are turning out in large numbers to fulfill the religious obligation of Qurbani, but many say the cost of sacrificial animals has become unaffordable for the average citizen.
In an interview with APP, several buyers voiced their concerns: Zahid Ali, a government employee, said, “I came to the cattle market hoping to find a medium-sized goat for around Rs. 45,000, but even the smaller ones are being sold for Rs. 60,000 or more. Last year, prices were far more reasonable.”
Rashid Mehmood, another buyer, added, “Sacrificial animals are priced out of reach this year. Bulls that were available for Rs 150,000 last year are now priced above Rs 220,000. The traders blame inflation, but there should be some form of regulation.”
Traders, on the other hand, insist that rising fodder prices, transportation costs, and market fees are driving the increase. “The price of animal feed has doubled, and transport charges have risen sharply due to fuel prices,” said Amjad Khan, a livestock trader from Mianwali. “We’re not making extra profit, we’re just trying to recover our costs.”
In light of the high volume of animal movement during the festive season, the Livestock Department of Dera Ismail Khan has launched intensified operations to prevent the spread of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)—two serious and highly contagious diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health.
Special teams from the department have been deployed to key transit points across the region. These teams are actively spraying all animals and transport vehicles with disinfectants as part of a comprehensive disease control strategy. The operations are being conducted at major entry and exit points including the Chashma Check Post, Yarik Interchange, Darya Khan Bridge, and Ramak Check Post.
In addition, local teams are inspecting animals in the city’s cattle markets to detect early signs of illness and prevent sick animals from being sold.
A senior official from the Livestock Department said, “Our teams are working round-the-clock at various cattle market entry points. No animal is allowed into the city without proper inspection. Preventive spray treatments are being carried out to curb the risk of disease transmission.”
Despite these efforts, many residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of official oversight in the pricing of animals. There have been calls for the local administration to implement fixed price lists and ensure proper monitoring of cattle market activities.
Nonetheless, the spirit of Eid-ul-Azha remains high, as families continue to visit markets in search of the ideal sacrificial animal. While economic challenges loom large, the religious commitment to Qurbani ensures that the hustle and bustle of cattle markets will continue until the eve of Eid.