Karachi, a vibrant hub, is now bustling once again as Karachi mandi is nearing completion. As usual, this is another grand start. Eid-ul-Adha 2025 is around the corner. Buyers and sellers are thus in full swing.
A Grand Tradition with Expanding Scale
Each year, the Karachi Cattle Market, better known as Sohrab Goth Mandi, becomes a city in itself. Situated on the Super Highway, the mandi is spread over an area of more than 900 acres, placing it among Asia’s largest livestock markets.
Over 400,000 animals are expected to make their way to the market each year, with cows, bulls, goats, sheep, and camels forming the bulk of the arrivals. This market is not only a commercial centre. It’s also a living expression of culture and tradition.
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Animals Arrive in Karachi Mandi
Thousands of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa livestock traders have already started establishing their temporary stalls. The initial herds of sacrificial animals have begun arriving in trucks, elaborately decorated with truck art and rural symbols of pride.
These animals are now being settled into their respective enclosures, where caretakers provide proper feeding, shade, and water in the scorching heat of Karachi summers.
Improved Facilities for 2025
This year, officials have assured better infrastructure and better security measures. With more than two million visitors anticipated, officials are prioritising:
- 24/7 security monitoring through CCTV cameras.
- Veterinary and medical camps for both animals and humans.
- Sanitation and waste management systems to ensure hygiene.
- Water supply points and shade structures for vendors and consumers.
- Digital payment systems to facilitate payments and prevent cash-based theft.
The market is being arranged in sector-wise zones, giving separate spaces for small and large livestock, easy to navigate for families and purchasers.
Traffic Flow Gets Attention
Fortunately, there’s improved parking being planned. There are traffic police on the posts. Gates are now indicated. This prevents too much jam. Apart from that, additional boards are posted.
Price Trends for this Year
With inflation, livestock prices have increased slightly from last year. Traders, however, anticipate price stabilisation once the number of animals is on the rise. Some early price trends are
- Goats from PKR 35,000.
- Average bulls range from PKR 180,000 to PKR 300,000.
- Sahiwal, Cholistani, and crossbred bulls command up to PKR 1 million or higher.
Increased popularity of “ready-to-slaughter” animals, particularly among city residents, is also evident, providing a more convenient experience.
Cattle Care: The Real Showstopper
Vendors are now spending time grooming and adorning their animals. From sparkling ropes, mehndi patterns, coloured bells, to flower garlands — the effort is indicative of affection as well as commercial purpose.
Fit animals, with shiny coats and muscular physiques, not only command higher prices but also win hearts. Buyers are especially interested in the animals’ diet and upbringing. Buyers ask questions such as “Is it organic-fed?” or “Has it been vaccinated?” Many traders, therefore, show health certificates and elaborate feeding regimes proudly.
Digital Platforms and Online Mandis Gain Popularity
Alongside the conventional mandi, online cattle trading websites are also gaining popularity. Websites and mobile applications now provide
- HD photos and videos of animals.
- Confirmed health information.
- Doorstep delivery.
- Qurbani services with Shariah compliance.
Nevertheless, the experience of going to the mandi — viewing the animal in person, haggling, and selecting with family is still irreplaceable for many.
A Cultural and Spiritual Highlight
At its core, the mandi is a celebration of sacrifice, unity, and faith. Families visit not just to buy, but to teach their children about the meaning behind Qurbani. It becomes a place where spirituality meets spectacle, where tradition is not only preserved but proudly showcased.
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