Cattle prices soar as sacrifice meets inflation in Karachi’s mandis ahead of Eidul Azha

As Karachi’s sweltering heat bore down on the bakra mandi (cattle market), the air buzzed with the bleating of goats, the clatter of hooves, and bursts of conversation and laughter.

The entrance was lined with food stalls which welcomed visitors with snacks and tea, while a man handed Rs100 entry tickets to oncoming vehicles for parking.

Inside the mandi, red tents near the entrance glowed under small chandeliers, while large pens stretched on for miles, filled with sacrificial animals.