As the Eidul Azha is just round the corner, sacrificial animals have started arriving in the federal capital for which the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has established a cattle market. However, the animal sellers at the Bakra Mandi located in the Saidpur Model Village told Pakistan Today that they would bring the sacrificial animals after November 1. “We are reluctant to bring animals during these days because of the changing weather conditions,” said Mughiz Asghar, a sheep dealer.
He said some people liked to buy sacrificial animals a month before the annual festival but it could result in huge losses to them this year, adding that they had received many complaints of spread of diseases in animals due to cold conditions. The traders said very few customers were visiting the market despite the relatively economical prices. “Around five years ago, one could find a large rush 15 days before the Eid but is very much visible that people are hesitant to take part in Eid sacrifices due to higher rates of sacrificial animals,” said Hamid Ali, who is hoping to sell bulls at the market.
The prices of the sacrificial animals are skyrocketing while a reduced supply of sheep and goats is another major problem. During a visit of the market, it was observed that a goat with weighing 12 kilogrammes was being sold at Rs 10,000 with the price jumping to Rs 30,000 for a 30-kg animal. On the other hand, the price of bulls ranges from Rs 30,000 to Rs100,000.
The sacrificial animals’ vendors are expecting that the sale will get momentum from next week. But the rates of the animals are out of the range for the middle class. “It is difficult to buy goat or sheep when it is hard to ensure the survival,” said Naqash Meer, a citizen.
The race among the sellers to occupy the ideal places in the “markets” is also on as everyone seems busy in trying to earn highest profit. “It is a golden chance for us to sale the maximum number of animals but it can be possible only after finding a good place in market” said a trader. About the inflated prices, several merchants said increased transportation charges were also one of the main reasons behind the trend. “Animals are transported to the federal capital from different cities; therefore, hiked fares of trucks and buses also caused higher prices of sacrificial animals,” said Fahad Amjad, a seller.
Meanwhile, the campaign to attract more people towards “Ijtamai Qurbani” (collective sacrifice) has also begun as the alarming inflation has made popular among the masses. Different seminaries and organisations have displayed banners and steamers on the roads to attract the customers.
