High prices of sacrificial animals have made it difficult for several citizens to offer sacrifice
The Federal Capital like the rest of Pakistan is all set to celebrate Eidul Adha also called Eid-e-Qurban (sacrifice) as sacrificial animals are seen being sold and purchased at different permitted and prohibited places but the high prices of sacrificial animals has made it difficult for all Muslims to perform the revered ritual of sacrifice, Pakistan Today has learnt.
It seems that only the rich are entitled to gain reward on Eidul Azha by offering sacrifice as many less fortunate ones are unable to buy sacrificial animals due to their high prices in the absence of any control mechanism put in place by the capital city administration.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Sajid Bashir, a resident of Golra, said that his family used to offer sacrifice of animals during “the good old days” when his father had a good running business.
“But these days it has become impossible for people like me who earn around Rs 10,000 a month to even think of offering sacrifice,” he added ruefully.
“With my meager resources, I am hardly able to fulfill the food and shelter needs of my family; we are a small family of five people including my three children. I pay half of my monthly earning to pay the rent of my residence whereas the rest is spent on food and other necessities.”
“In these circumstances, how can I manage the additional cost of qurbani,” he explained.
Meanwhile, at the western corner of Karachi Company Market in G-9 Sector of the Capital, a part of a cricket ground has been allocated for the sale of sacrificial animals where goats, sheep and cows have been brought from different parts of the county.
Abdul Ghaffar, who has brought five goats for sale from his native village, told Pakistan Today that this year the market is very slow.
“I was unable to sell a single animal in the last three days,” he said, adding that last year he sold seven goats in one day at a good price.
“Inflated electricity bills have badly affected the purchasing capacity of the people this year,” he opined.
When asked whether he will offer ‘qurbani’ himself, he said, “Sacrifice of an animal ranging in price between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000 is out of my reach.”
“I nourish these animals all year long to sell them before Eidul Azha to earn some money to run my household,” he explained.
When an official of Capital Development Authority (CDA) deputed at G-9 animal market was asked about the unreasonably high prices of sacrificial animals, he said, “There are no fixed prices for these animals, it is a bargain between the seller and the purchaser and CDA cannot interfere.”
When asked if he would offer qurbani, he replied in the negative.
“I am a low-scale government official receiving Rs18, 000 per month. My income is not enough for running my daily expenses for a month, how can I spend Rs15,000 on qurbani.”
“I will offer qurbani when I am able to do so. However at present, I don’t see myself offering sacrifice in the near future,” he said.