Buying of sacrificial animals gained momentum in the city’s markets because of the first Eid holiday on Saturday while prices still remained high. Transportation of animals by buyers also remained costly and troublesome, as transporters were demanding high fares. The number of customers doubled in the markets and as a result, sale of sacrificial animals increased sharply. It was the first holiday ahead of Eidul Azha and a majority of private and government offices and banks were closed and people got an opportunity to purchase sacrificial animals. The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) established six points for purchasing sacrificial animals at LDA Avenue, Shahpur Kanjra, Saggian Bridge, Burki Road, Quaid-e-Azam Interchange Ring Road near China Scheme and Kacha Ferozepur Road. Sale and purchase at any other place was illegal and liable to action by the CDGL.
Customers also faced problems in moving their vehicles and traffic got stuck at these markets. Although, the traffic police was deployed at these points but because of high number of customers and vehicles, traffic, most of the time, remained stuck. Sellers took a sigh of relief because of increase in number of customers.
They said that there were very less number of customers for the last five days but Saturdays rush gave them a ray of hope. “I brought two dozens of goats on Monday but since then I sold only two,” seller Shaukat Ali at LDA Avenue Sales Point said, adding that he was very depressed due to a fewer number of customers. “But on Saturday, a large number of customers came for buying and I sold one dozen goats,” he said, adding that the rest would be sold today (Sunday).
Another seller Rafaqat Hussain, who came from Okara, talking to Pakistan Today, said that sales often increased in the last two days before Eid. He said that prices of animals were not that much high and people, without any reason, were complaining about high prices. Rafaqat said that prices of fodders and other inputs had increased, therefore, prices were high. “We have to spend around Rs 50 to 70 per day on one goat, therefore, prices are high,” he added.
On average, a goat was available for Rs 15,000 to 30,000 while a cow was sold for Rs 45,000 to 80,000 depending upon the weight and age of animals. Customers said that it was the first holiday, therefore, they came to the market for purchasing animals. “I could not come to the market on weekdays because of my office schedule and but now as office has closed for Eid I have come to purchase a goat,” banker Abdul Majeed said, adding that prices of animals were very high but he had to perform the ritual at every cost. “No matter what the price is, one has to buy if he wants to sacrifice,” he added.
Customers complained about expensive transportation for sacrificial animals. “Sale points are established far away from the city and it is a great trouble for the masses,” customer Jameel Ashraf said, adding that he had to pay Rs 1,500 for transporting a cow to his home at Garden Town. “Last year, the market was not far away and I paid only Rs 500 for transportation but this year it was a great problem,” he said, adding that the CDGL should establish sale points near the city rather than establishing them far away.
