Police in Karachi said on Monday that 25 sacrificial goats worth around Rs1.9 million were stolen from the Gulistan-i-Jauhar area in a late-night incident, raising concerns over security arrangements ahead of the Eid season.
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According to Malir Cantt Station House Officer (SHO) Agha Abdul Rasheed, the goats were being kept at an empty plot in Block 8 after being purchased by a local resident. The owner had also hired a watchman to guard the animals.
The SHO said that on Saturday night, three to four suspects arrived at the site in a Suzuki van and managed to take away all the goats. The watchman later told police that he was present at the time but was overpowered by the suspects, who tied a cloth around his face before loading the animals into their vehicle.
Police said CCTV footage from nearby cameras has been obtained to identify the suspects and assist in the investigation. Authorities have also requested the owner to register a first information report (FIR) to formally begin legal proceedings, though officials said he has so far been reluctant to pursue the case.
This is not the first such incident in the area. In 2024, armed men hijacked a truck carrying sacrificial goats in the same locality, highlighting repeated cases of livestock theft during peak Eid buying season.
Police say they are reviewing similar past incidents and investigating whether organised groups are involved in targeting livestock traders and buyers in Karachi’s outskirts.
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Authorities have urged citizens to ensure proper security arrangements when keeping valuable animals in open or unsecured spaces, especially during the days leading up to Eid-ul-Azha when demand for sacrificial animals increases significantly.