Rawalpindi goes full 'bakra mode'

Express Tribune

05-06-2025

Women and children gather around a bull destined for sacrifice as part of the Eidul Azha rituals, on the greenbelt of Sector G-6, Islamabad. PHOTO: RAJA ZAFAR/EXPRESS
A record number of citizens headed to cattle markets to purchase sacrificial animals of their choice on Thursday.
A large number of animals have already arrived for sale at all 23 small and large cattle markets across the city and district. The markets will remain open from 8am to 2am late at night.
As Eidul Azha draws closer, despite official restrictions, the sale of small and large sacrificial animals has started in marketplaces, street corners and vacant plots across the city effectively turning the entire city into a livestock market.
In Rawalpindi, animals are being sold on major roads, intersections and within densely populated residential areas. Due to the central cattle market at Bhatta Chowk being located 20 to 25 kilometres from the city and the resulting high transportation costs, many citizens are now preferring to buy animals from local neighbourhoods and nearby areas.
After the district administration's announcement, the District Council has also declared six official cattle market sites within its jurisdiction, leading to a heavy influx of animals in these areas as well.
Currently, cattle markets are active across Rawalpindi city and its outskirts including Ghazni Road, Bagh Sardaran, Pirwadhai, IJP Road, New Katarian, Dhok Hassu, Dhok Dalal, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Railway Road Bakery Chowk, the area behind the High Court, Swan Camp, Rawat, GT Road, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, Chohar Chowk, Chungi No. 22, Bakra Mandi, Dhok Syedan Road, Chaklala, Dhok Lalyal, Bhatta Mandi, Rahimabad Bridge, Tarnol Phatak, Peshawar Road Pirwadhai, Dhok Chohdrian Car Chowk, and in the tehsils of Chhani Pul, Gujar Khan, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Kotli Sattian and Taxila.
Traffic jams are widespread around market areas and adjacent roads. The large number of loader vehicles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws has made it difficult for people to move and even ambulances are getting stuck in traffic. Due to the constant arrival and departure of animals, the roads inside and around the cattle markets are littered with animal waste. Although traffic wardens have been deployed, the situation has spiralled out of control due to the overwhelming rush.
Meanwhile, animal prices are skyrocketing. Bulls and cows are being sold for between Rs300,000 to Rs1.5 million, goats and sheep range from Rs150,000 to Rs500,000, while camels are priced between Rs500,000 and Rs1.5 million.
Markets choked with Eid rush
Our Correspondent
RAWALPINDI: Due to the heavy Eidul Azha shopping rush, traffic came to a standstill across all commercial centres, markets, and plazas in Rawalpindi. With today being both Friday and Chand Raat (the night before Eid), additional security arrangements have been made in the markets.
All major shopping areas will remain open until 2am tonight. Saddar bazaars have been made one-way to manage the flow. Severe congestion was reported in Commercial Market, Murree Road, Saddar, Tench Bhatta, Bara Market, Raja Bazaar, and Moti Bazaar — the latter being a popular shopping spot for women. Pedestrian movement became extremely difficult due to overcrowding.
Incidents of purse snatching in Moti Bazaar have increased, prompting the deployment of female police officers in the area. On Thursday as well, markets remained packed with shoppers, with widespread encroachments and traffic jams. Despite the presence of traffic wardens, they were rendered ineffective due to the chaos. Illegal parking further worsened the situation.
High demand pushes up slaughter charges
Our Correspondent
RAWALPINDI: With just one day left before Eidul Azha, butchers in Rawalpindi have significantly hiked their charges for slaughtering sacrificial animals, setting new records in rates.
Due to high demand, bookings for the first day of Eid have already been closed. Butchers have introduced separate pricing for each of the three days of Eid, with further distinctions for morning and post-Maghrib (evening) slaughter.
Temporary butchers from nearby areas—particularly from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's adjoining districts such as Haripur, Abbottabad, and Havelian—have also entered the market to earn during Eid. Many have shared their phone numbers and services on social media.
According to current rates, slaughter and meat preparation of a cow or bull will cost Rs22,000 (in morning) and Rs20,000 (in evening), and for a goat or sheep Rs6,000 on first day of Eid.
Butchers will charge Rs20,000 for cow/bull (in morning) and Rs18,000 (in evening), and Rs4,500 to Rs5,000 for goat/sheep. For the third day of Eid: rates for cow/bull will be Rs15,000–16,000, and goat/sheep Rs4,000.