LAHORE: Almost 1.8 million sacrificial animals worth over Rs160 billion were sold in 281 cattle markets and temporary sale points till June 16, a day before the Eidul Azha, across Punjab.

Up to Rs70 billion worth of animals were sold in Lahore alone. `The footfall of the sacrificial animals at all cattle markets/sale points remained as 1.817 million from June 4 to 16.

The 1.817 million animals included nearly 1.206 million small (goats, sheep etc) and 612,014 big animals (cows, camels, bulls etc),` an official source in the local government and community development depart-ment told Dawn on Friday.

`If we estimate sale / trade of 1.8 million and assume average price of small and big animals as Rs60,000 (each) and Rs150,000 (each), the total volume of the trade appears to be Rs160 billion or so,` the official believed.

He said the price of healthy animals was much more than the average cost, specially around Eid.

According to an internal report shared by the department, Lahore division remained on top in terms of sacrificial animals` sale, as 526,250 small and 246,241 big animals were brought here from June 4 to 16.

Faisalabad division witnessed the entry of 144,607 small and 72,114 big animals at its cattle markets and temporary sale points.

Bahawalpur division attracted103,287 small and 52,344 big animals followed by Dera Ghazi Khan division where 106, 015 small and 21,451 big animals were brought.

Gujranwala division attracted 77,964 small and 47011 big animals whereas Sargodha division witnessed arrival of 73,218 small and 30,105 big animals.

Multan division`s markets witnessed arrival of 79,924 small and 66,544 big animals whereas Sahiwal division received 44,134 small and 32,759 big animals.

Rawalpindi division witnessed entry of 50,571 small and 43,445 big animals.

At Shahpur Kanjran, Punjab`s largest sale point, had a fewer number of animals a day before and during three days of Eid.

Over 95pc animals were sold here till June 16.