Lack of shelters, scarce water facilities at cattle markets irk Eid buyers in KP

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th May, 2026) With Eidul Azha just around the corner, cattle markets across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are overflowing with buyers, traders, and sacrificial animals.

But amid the festive rush and bargaining chants, many families are struggling against scorching heat, overcrowding, and the absence of even the most basic public facilities such as shade and water.

From Peshawar’s Ring Road and Hayatabad markets to livestock hubs in Charsadda, Mardan and Nowshera, thousands of citizens continued to visit cattle bazaars daily in search of affordable animals for Qurbani to commemorate the sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS) on March 27.

The complaints about poor shelter, lack of clean drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient medical assistance in cattle markets are growing louder with every passing day in Peshawar and Nowshera districts.

Inter-provincial dealers brought large animals stocks that created space problems in most of cattle markets, forcing them to stand on roadside that crested traffic jam.

Under the blazing afternoon sun at the Ring Road cattle market on Monday, buyers carrying children and elderly family members moved anxiously between rows of animals while searching for shade.

“I visited the market with my family hoping to buy a suitable animal, but the extreme heat made it unbearable,” said Fayaz Khan, a resident of Nowshera.

“My young son fainted because of the scorching heat, and there was no first-aid camp or medical staff available nearby. We had no choice but to leave without buying anything at Ring Road market.”

He criticized the concerned authorities and private contractors for charging heavy entry and parking fees while failing to provide essential facilities.

“They collect money from both sellers and buyers, but people are forced to stand for hours without shade or clean water,” he said. “If conditions remain this poor, more families will shift toward online animal purchasing.”

The intense heatwave has added to the misery of visitors in cattle markets. Many buyers were seen pouring water over their heads, sitting under trucks for temporary shade, or carrying handheld fans while negotiating prices.

Zeeshan Khan, a government employee from Wapda Town, wrapped a wet towel around his neck as he moved from one animal enclosure to another.

“I came early in the morning thinking prices would be reasonable, but goats and sheep are far more expensive than last year,” he said. “I have spent the whole day here and still cannot find an animal within my budget.”

Pointing toward overflowing garbage near food stalls, he expressed concern about hygiene conditions inside the market.

“The sanitation system is extremely poor while drinking water is unclean and food stalls are operating in unhygienic conditions,” he said. “Families bring children here, but there are no proper washrooms or resting areas. It has become a health risk.”

Several buyers echoed similar concerns and urged the provincial government to deploy price magistrates and livestock officials to regulate prices and improve facilities at cattle markets.

“We are not asking for luxury,” said Nasir Ali, a schoolteacher visiting the Hazar Khwani market. “People simply need tents, clean water, mobile medical teams, and proper sanitation.

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Eid shopping should not become a punishment for ordinary citizens.”

Despite the hardships, livestock markets remain packed before Eid day. Markets at Lala Kalay, Ring Road, Charsadda Road, and Hayatabad in Peshawar, along with major cattle points in Akora Khattak, Pabbi, Risalpur, and Amangarh in Nowshera, Tangi, Sardhero, Utmanzai, Nisata and Sherpao continue to attract faithful in large numbers amid sizzling heat.

Most animals arriving in KP are being transported from Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, while traders from southern districts of KP and merged tribal areas are also actively participating in the seasonal business.

Among the traders was Ibrahim Khan, an inter-provincial livestock dealer who brought 15 truckloads of cattle from Jacobabad and Sahiwal.

“This season is always financially important for cattle traders,” he said while standing beside a massive ox named Sahiwal King. “I have already refused an offer of Rs500,000 for this animal. I will not sell it for less than Rs750,000.”

He said transportation costs, animal feed prices, and fuel expenses had increased significantly this year, directly affecting market prices.

The people have to go for washrooms and prayers for a long distance during hot weather.

“People think traders are charging too much, but transportation alone has become very expensive,” he explained.

“Smaller animals like goats and sheep are especially costly because their supply is lower and transport charges are high.”

Veterinary officials said solid efforts are underway to maintain animal health and prevent the spread of disease.

Dr. Aftab Ahmad, Director of Livestock and Dairy Development KP, acknowledged the shortage of facilities at some markets but said authorities were trying to manage the enormous seasonal influx on Eid.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa imports nearly 70 percent of sacrificial animals from Punjab and other provinces,” he said. “Without this supply, meeting Eid demand would not be possible.”

He said veterinary teams and doctors had been deployed at major markets to monitor livestock health, conduct fumigation, and isolate animals showing symptoms of diseases, including lumpy skin disease.

“We are also monitoring transportation routes and establishing checkpoints to discourage illegal animal movement toward merged districts,” he added.

According to estimates by the Pakistan Tanners Association, more than 6.1 million sacrificial animals worth around Rs531 billion were sacrificed across the country during Eidul Azha last year, including nearly 3 million goats, 2.6 million cows, and around 87,000 camels.

As only a day left in Eidul Azha, exhausted but determined buyers continue flooding cattle markets in hopes of fulfilling the religious tradition of sacrifice without overburdening their household budgets.

For many families, however, the experience has become increasingly difficult due to poor civic facilities and oppressive weather.

“People come here with happiness and religious spirit,” said Muhammad Haris, a buyer from Charsadda while searching for a goat with his children. “If basic facilities are improved, the markets can become safer and more comfortable for everyone on eve of Eidul Azha.”

APP/fam