As Eid-ul-Adha nears in Pakistan, trading activity is reaching its peak at the Asia’s largest cattle market, sprawling across 1,200 acres along Karachi’s Northern Bypass.
Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Festival of Sacrifice, every year in the last Islamic month. This year, the first day of Eid-ul-Adha will fall on Saturday, June 7 in Pakistan.
Shahab Ali Ikram, Administrator of the Northern Bypass Cattle Market, told Business Recorder that around 250,000 animals had arrived at the market, and the number was expected to hit 300,000 by the second day of Eid.
As per an estimate, the Northern Bypass market alone is expected to record over Rs38 billion worth of business this year.
When asked about inflation and people’s purchasing power, the administrator explained that the cattle market operates on bargaining.
“Since the market operates on bargaining, it is difficult to set a minimum price. However, regarding the highest price, a trader named Saleem Chacha sold a pair of animals for Rs17.5 million (Rs1.75 crore), which so far is the largest deal in the market,” he said.
Ikram also stated that gate pass fees had been reduced in 2025 for public convenience.
The gate pass for cars was brought down from Rs6,500 to Rs3,250 per car, while the pass for motorcycles was reduced from Rs3,000 to Rs1,500 per motorcycle.
“Additionally, ATM machines from various banks have been installed inside the market for the public’s ease,” he said.
The administrator further informed that the cattle market had been divided into 12 blocks, including Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Sibi blocks.
Bilal Shah, who bought a cattle from the Norther Bypass market, said a free of cost gate pass was required this year to exit the market after buying an animal.
“This addition this year has helped both the buyers and sellers,” he said.
Khawaja Usman Sohail, a regular visitor to the Northern Bypass market, shared his experience that animals in the market were being sold in the price range of Rs80,000 to Rs125,000 per maund (approximately 40kg).
“Facilities in the market have improved significantly this year, ranging from cashless banking to food streets,” he said.
Regarding gate passes, Sohail mentioned that a Google Form was available to acquire the gate pass, and he appreciated the fee reduction, saying such steps would enhance the vibrancy of the cattle market.
Sohail noted that people were also buying sacrificial animals from different other small markets and cattle farms scattered across the city, for the main cattle market, located in the Northern Bypass, was far from many areas of Karachi.
Various small and large markets have been set up in parts of the city, including Malir, Bhains colony, Lyari, Mawach Goth, Yusuf Goth, Orangi Town, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, New Karachi, and many others.
It maybe noted that Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi had issued a notification banning illegal cattle markets and the sale of animals on roadsides.
The city administration would take strict measures to organise market activities and ensure compliance with municipal regulations, he had said.
“It is now becoming a growing trend that people prefer buying sacrificial animals from other available options as they don’t see a big price difference between the main market at the Northern Bypass and other smaller markets,” he said.
“Though the Asia’s biggest market hasn’t lost its significance as yet, this trend can have its impact in the coming years.”
