In Islamabad, a nearly seven-foot-tall bull weighing around 1,400 kilograms has become a major attraction at the city's largest cattle market ahead of Eid Al-Adha. The American Brahman, named Ghulam Mustafa, draws crowds of visitors who stop to photograph it, inspect its size, and inquire about its price.
The VIP Cattle Market
The bull is among dozens of rare and premium animals displayed at the VIP Cattle Market in sector I-12 of the Pakistani capital. Here, wealthy buyers spend millions of rupees each year on sacrificial animals during one of Islam's most important religious festivals. The holiday has also evolved into one of the country's largest seasonal livestock economies, with breeders spending years raising prized animals that become symbols of religious devotion, status, prestige, and personal passion.
Elite Breeds and Storytelling
At the high-end VIP section, traders market rare breeds through a mix of exclusivity, storytelling, and spectacle. Sheikh Wahab, president of the Cattle Association in Islamabad, told Arab News: "This is the VIP elite market of the Fateh Jang bull breed. I started this alone around 20 years ago. The animal that you see here we raise and bring here every year."
Named after the Fateh Jang region in Punjab province's Pothohar belt, the large white Fateh Jangi bulls are prized for their size, muscular build, and appearance. Breeders say buyers often return year after year, with reputation carrying almost as much value as pedigree.
Prices and Exports
Cattle breeder Muhammad Farrukh Shahid said: "Basically, the market I am targeting is elite class. This year we have changed our routine and sold our animals for a minimum of Rs400,000 ($1,436). If you go on the higher side, then it is like 'sky is the limit.'" He added that Pakistani cricketer Haris Rauf and many government officials have bought animals from him. Shahid hopes to promote and export Pakistan's local breeds internationally, claiming that the local Fateh Jang 'Dhanni' breed tastes even better than the Scottish Angus breed.
Emotional Attachments
Beyond business, many breeders describe deep emotional attachments to animals they raise over several years. Farm owner Farhan Rashid said: "This is my hobby. I have raised them like my kids at home. Out of four animals, I sell two and dedicate two for Eid Al-Adha sacrifice." Pointing to an American Brahman, he added: "I feed it first and then feed my children."
The American Brahman breed, known for its distinctive hump, loose skin, and heat tolerance, remains one of the market's biggest attractions. Customer Rahat Khan noted: "Its specialty is, it is from the Brahman breed. And it has a huge build. They fetch good prices but they are very less in numbers. This is the biggest bull of this cattle market at the moment."
Economic Pressures and Devotion
Even as Pakistan faces economic pressures and inflation that have squeezed household budgets this year, traders at the elite market say wealthy buyers continue to spend heavily on premium sacrificial animals, particularly those considered rare or prestigious. For many participants, however, the market represents more than commerce. As Rashid put it: "Let your sacrifice come from the heart and not be forced."
