Bhata Ground cattle market auction stalls over Rs4bn reserve price

RAWALPINDI: The auction process for the Bhata Ground cattle market contract has run into a deadlock after bidders opposed the decision to begin bidding at a reserve price of Rs4 billion, resulting in the failure of two attempts.

The bidders formed a united front against the reserve price condition and demanded that the auction start from last year’s rates instead. Following the collapse of the first two attempts, a third open auction has been scheduled for April 13.

Last year, the contract for the 15-day Eidul Azha cattle market at Bhata Ground was awarded for Rs165.7 million. This year, however, the cantonment administration has decided to auction the contract for an entire year, including the Eidul Azha period, with bidding to begin from a much higher reserve price.

Bhata Ground is regarded as the largest cattle market centre serving Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The market draws sacrificial animals from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh during the Eidul Azha season.

Plan for year-round operations

Under the new arrangement, the authorities plan to run the market throughout the year rather than limiting it to Eidul Azha. The proposal includes weekly market activity on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in addition to the annual sacrificial animal trade.

Officials believe the move could help maintain a regular supply of meat, encourage livestock trading, and provide support to agriculture and dairy-related businesses. They also see the plan as a way to generate significant income for the cantonment board.

Sources in the cantonment board said the Rs4 billion reserve price was justified because the contract represented a major commercial opportunity for the successful bidder. They also maintained that the reserve price would not be lowered.

The disagreement over the starting price has so far prevented the auction from moving forward, with bidders continuing to press for the removal of the reserve price condition and a return to the previous benchmark for opening bids. The third open auction is now scheduled for April 13 after the previous two attempts collapsed when bidders collectively demanded the removal of the reserve price condition and insisted that bidding begin from last year's rates.

The outcome of the next auction attempt will determine whether the cantonment administration can proceed with its plan to convert Bhata Ground into a permanent livestock market operating beyond the Eidul Azha period.