PCMMC completes online auction for cattle markets in Lahore, Multan

LAHORE:The Punjab government’s push for e-governance and transparency has achieved a milestone with the successful completion of an online auction for cattle markets in the Lahore and Multan divisions, facilitated by a new IT-based e-auction system.

Managed by the Punjab Cattle Market Management Company (PCMMC), the digital bidding process drew significant interest, generating bids worth billions of rupees. The Shahpur Kanjran cattle market in Lahore fetched the highest bid of Rs 1.5 billion from Tayyab Manzoor Tarrar. The Qureshi Group secured two major contracts, bidding Rs 486.7 million for the Model Cattle Market in Sheikhupura and Rs 1.571 billion for the Jaswantgarh cattle market.

Successful bids were also recorded for markets in Pattoki, Safdarabad, Nankana Sahib, Luddan, Machiwal, Jamlera, Khanewal, Dunyapur, Jalalpur, Gaggo, Vehari Stadium, and Tibba Sultan. In the Multan division, the reserve price for 10 cattle markets was set at Rs 1.176 billion, but bids totaled Rs 2.637 billion, surpassing expectations. The Local Government Department highlighted the e-auction system’s role in promoting transparency, curbing corruption, and increasing government revenue while fostering public trust. The initiative’s success in Lahore and Multan underscores the advantages of digital governance.

The e-auction will continue with cattle markets in Sargodha, Gujranwala, and Bahawalpur divisions on May 22, followed by Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions on May 23. A total of 112 cattle markets across nine divisions are being auctioned through this system. The Secretary of the Local Government Department praised the e-auction’s integrity and efficiency, noting it as a significant step toward a corruption-free and well-managed cattle market network. Plans are in place to extend this model to other public service sectors.