Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cattle Markets Surge as Eidul Azha Approaches

PESHAWAR: As Eidul Azha draws near, the demand for sacrificial animals has reached its zenith across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with cattle markets bustling with buyers and traders from across the province on Sunday.

In addition to the regular weekly livestock markets in Peshawar district, privately run cattle farms also drew significant crowds. One of the city’s busiest cattle markets, situated on the Ring Road near the slaughterhouse that supplies meat to much of the provincial capital, stayed packed throughout the day. Long queues of vehicles created severe traffic congestion in the area despite heavy police deployment to manage the flow.

Buyers reported that Rs2,000 was being charged per animal transaction at the market.

Another major livestock market in the Sarband area along Bara Road continued to serve residents of Bara, Jamrud, Sheikhan, Pishtakhara, Hayatabad, Achini and surrounding localities.

Buyers complain of heavy fees charged by market owners

A separate market at Palosai in the Tehkal suburban area remained active, where buyers were reportedly exempt from paying taxes. Residents from Regi, DHA, Tehkal, Board Bazaar, University Road, Bara Gate, Shaheen Colony, Shaheedabad and nearby rural areas visited in large numbers.

Peshawar’s largest cattle market, commonly known as Kala Mandi on GT Road near Jhagra and Nasirpur, saw extraordinary activity as traders from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, arrived with livestock. Located opposite the city’s fruit market, the venue remained overcrowded, making movement difficult for both pedestrians and motorists.

Spread over a vast area, Kala Mandi features separate sections for buffaloes, cows, bulls and dairy animals. A railway track passing through the centre of the market added to the difficulties for traders and buyers, who complained of dust clouds whenever trains crossed the area.

Buyers said the market administration was charging Rs1,500 per animal transaction.

The Sufaid livestock market on Kohat Road also remained crowded, attracting buyers from Budhber, Matani, Bazidkhel, Ahmadkhel, Nauthia, Scheme Chowk, Armar and even Dara Adamkhel. In addition to sacrificial animals, the market offered goats, rams, poultry, birds and vegetables, making it a popular weekly shopping destination for residents.

Other livestock markets in Peshawar, including Bara Market on Frontier Road, Chahil Ghazi Baba on Warsak Road, Charsadda Road cattle market near Khazana and Naguman market, also recorded heavy business activity on Sunday.

Despite brisk sales, many buyers expressed concern over rising prices. A government employee, Nasir Khan, said he had deliberately delayed his purchase hoping prices would fall closer to Eid, but that expectation proved unfounded.

Livestock traders, including Arab Khan and Qaiser Khan, said a large number of animals changed hands on Sunday as Eid shopping intensified.

Meanwhile, residents in different parts of Malakand division, including Chakdara, Mingora, Matta, Langar and Kat Kala, said buyers this year preferred locally bred animals, particularly Achai breed cows and bulls as well as Azikheli buffaloes, because lower transportation costs kept prices relatively affordable.

In Charsadda, livestock traders reported sluggish business at the cattle markets, attributing the slowdown to declining purchasing power and soaring inflation, our Charsadda correspondent reports.

While cattle markets in the district saw some momentum in the sale of sacrificial animals, high prices kept many buyers away. A large number of animals were brought to the markets, but buyers haggled fiercely over prices, and most left without making a purchase.

Traders said the turnout of customers remained low compared to previous years as people grappled with economic hardship.

According to cattle dealers, buffaloes were being sold for Rs400,000 to Rs600,000, while cows and bulls were priced between Rs300,000 and Rs400,000. Goats were available from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000, while sheep prices ranged from Rs100,000 to Rs200,000.

A goat priced at Rs400,000 became the centre of attention in the market, drawing large crowds of visitors, though no buyer came forward due to its steep cost.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2026

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