Owing to high prices of sacrificial animals in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the trend of collective sacrifice has gained popularity among the citizens on upcoming Eidul Azha.
“After floods in the country this year, there is a shortage of thousands of animals in the country, due to which their rates have skyrocketed,” traders said. They said high prices of sheep, goats and cow had forced people to go for collective sacrifice.
A trader, Asim Rana, said that this year, sacrificial animals are available at more than double the last year’s prices. The asking rate of a healthy goat and sheep starts from Rs 25,000, which was Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000 last year. Similarly, a healthy bull is available between Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000 compared to Rs 40,000 last year.
Several religious organisations and NGOs, who are engaged in arranging collective sacrifice, have reported booking by people in large number. The organisations have also advertised their services on billboards in the twin cities.
These organisations offer a share raging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 12,000 depending on the kind and cost of sacrificial animal.
Several people said that the increase in prices has particularly affected the salaried class, who find it extremely difficult to save money and buy animals for sacrifice.
The citizens said they would be performing their religious obligation this year by participating in the collective sacrifice of animal, which is arranged by several welfare and religious organisations in the city.
