By Junaid Yousafzai
With only three days left for Eidul Azha, the people of Mardan complained about increase in the prices of sacrificial animals and owing to unchecked transportation of cattle from out of the city.
Talking to this scribe, they pointed out that up to 50 per cent increase had been witnessed in rates of cattle compared to the previous year. Muhammad Sajid said that he wanted to buy a sacrificial animal between Rs30,000 to Rs35,000, but the prices were too high.
Abid Tufail from Bakhshali said that last year he had bought a bull at Rs50,000 but now, the prices were inflated to Rs65,000 to Rs75,000 in the local market. He said that the hike in prices was due to the fact that the animals were being taken out of city without any official check.
He said that the administration has failed to check the prices of cattles due to which prices are high. He said that the local administration had not made any mechanism to check the prices. Taimur Khan of Chatoo Chowk told that prices of almost all animals had increased by Rs15,000.
The people criticised the local administration for not taking steps to control the prices. A visible rise in taxation and other associated expenses are believed to be the reasons behind the price hike.
Cattle traders have started to bring animals in the cattle markets and can be seen wandering in the streets to attract the customeRs The sellers were demanding high prices because they were spending a lot of time waiting for the customeRs
Traders hoped that sales will gain momentum as the religious festival approaches and buyers start visiting the markets. “A large number of animals are expected to be sold this year as well, they added.
Small-sized animals, particularly goats and sheep, have arrived so far, with their prices starting from Rs20,000 to 30,000. The prices of A-category animals have increased from Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 while prices for the B category have jumped to Rs20,000.
According to a survey conducted by Pakistan Today, prices of sacrificial animals have almost doubled as compared to normal days. Traders have said that since prices of fodder had gone high, they are forced to sell their animals at high prices. “How can we afford to sell our animals at a low cost when we spend heavily to feed them,” a trader said.
“Till few years ago, I sacrificed a goat regularly on every Eidul Azha but this year it is out of my reach,” said Salman, a shopkeeper. A government employee said, “Buying a sacrificial animal is a dream now.” This year, the trend of joint sacrifice is increasing due to high prices of animals.
High prices of Qurbani animals is forcing people to the option for ‘Ijtamai Qurbani’ which is becoming popular as slaughtering animals is a religious duty but high prices are the main hurdle to it.