On this Eid-ul-Azha cattle prices were reaching record highs in Karachi’s livestock markets. Why? In my view, rising feed costs, transport expenses and constant inflation seem to have forced sellers to quote rates well beyond the reach of middle-class families.
Karachi is also facing brutally hot days right now. Standing in crowded mandis, negotiating under the scorching sun, and transporting animals home turned into a test of endurance, especially for elderly and children. Yet the difficulties extend beyond the marketplace.
Once animals were brought home, residents were confronting frequent power outages and prolonged water shortages.
Load-shedding at critical hours had made it difficult to cook, store meat safely, and operate cooling appliances, while irregular water supply has left many neighbourhoods scrambling to arrange tankers at inflated rates to meet the demands of washing, cleaning and maintaining hygiene around the sacrifice.
These challenges are further magnified by the state of Karachi’s woefully poor infrastructure.
Be that as it may, while the resilience of Karachiites remains unmatched, homes still got decorated, food was still cooked, and meat was still shared. Eid-ul-Azha Mubarak.
Nahid Abrar, Karachi
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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