LAHORE:
With Eidul Azha around the corner, complaints of overcharging and extortion in Lahore’s livestock markets have increased, and citizens and livestock traders say they have been left at the mercy of contractors who operate with impunity.
From Shahpur Kanjran – Punjab’s largest permanent livestock market – to temporary sales outlets set up across the city, buyers and traders allege that illegal charges have reached unprecedented levels, adding to the financial burden of families already struggling with inflation and rising prices of slaughtered animals.
Citizens visiting the designated markets say the Punjab government’s ban on the sale of animals on roads within the city has effectively forced buyers to go to controlled livestock markets where, they allege, contractors and their agents are extracting money without fear of accountability.
According to buyers and traders, visitors who leave the markets after purchasing animals for sacrifice are allegedly forced to pay unofficial fees ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 700 for goats and sheep, Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 for bulls and buffaloes, and up to Rs 2,000 for camels.
Several residents claimed that groups of men stationed at market exits stopped loading vehicles and even private vehicles transporting animals for sacrifice, demanding cash before allowing them to leave the markets.
“We came to this market only because the government banned the sale of sacrificial animals within the city,” Muhammad Faizan said at the Shahpur Kanjran market.
“After spending huge amounts on animals, they fleece us again and leave the market. There is no official available to address public complaints,” he added.
Another resident accused the authorities of turning a blind eye to the situation. “It seems as if the government has given contracts to these people to fleece citizens,” said Ahmad Raza, a citizen who left the Saggian livestock market after purchasing an animal. “Earlier, traders and farmers who brought animals to markets paid exorbitant amounts. Now ordinary citizens are also looted. This open extortion cannot happen without the connivance of officials.”
On the other hand, the district administration and provincial authorities have intensified action against illegal sale of livestock on roads and against citizens keeping animals for sacrifice outside their homes.
As officials continued to crack down across Lahore, residents complained that law enforcement teams are targeting ordinary families instead of addressing excessive charges at official livestock markets.
Livestock traders also raised concerns about excessive charges at markets, saying unofficial payments are increasing operational costs.
Traders alleged that despite the officially approved entry fees of Rs 200 for small animals and Rs 500 for large animals, many sellers are charged higher amounts.
Additional payments are also apparently collected for fodder, straw and feed.
“Animals were already expensive due to rising transportation and feed costs,” says a trader in southern Punjab. “These illegal charges have further driven up prices for the public.”
