Share this story!            

Sacrificial animals cost double this time around: A visit to the cattle-market not for the weak-hearted anymore

By Fawad Ali Shah

KARACHI: If you are planning to buy a sacrificial animal and visit the cattle market for the purpose, be aware that the prices of the animals have doubled this time around.

Vendors from across the country have put animals on display at the cattle-market along the National Highway just near the Sohrab Goth area. With Eidul Azha fast approaching, the numbers of goats, cows and camels are increasing in the market.

The white bulls of Sibi and the goats of Rahimyar Khan, according to the vendors, are attracting the customers.

The prices of animals have increased by 100-120 percent as compared to last year. Vendors say that the price hike is the result of the rising inflation and some unjustified steps taken by the administration of the cattle-market.

“An animal that would have cost a customer Rs 25,000 last year now costs Rs 45,000,” Abdul Qadir, 53, who has brought animals from Rahimyar Khan, told Daily Times. He said inflation is the main reason behind the price hike, however, he quickly added that the prices could be controlled had the administration of the cattle-market provided free of cost land in the market and water.

However, this year, Qadir says the number of customers visiting the cattle-market has notably increased.

It is pertinent to mention here that the administration of the cattle-market has held nothing back in adding to the miseries of the vendors and customers. According to the vendors, this time the fee charged per animal has been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 650. They are also charging Rs 1,200 for the entry of a vehicle in the market. Not only is the administration charging additional fee but they have also disrupted the supply of water to the vendors, which they provided last year without any charges. This time the administration has informed the vendors that the water contract has been given to a private company and that they should buy water cans. A 10-litre can is for Rs 20 and according to the vendors, one animal consumes water worth Rs 300-400 per day.

The guards of the administration are also charging Rs 5,000 from the vendors who want to occupy the front areas of the ground, the vendors complained. The administration also does not bother to issue receipts for the money charged in this regard. The prices of animals range from Rs 45,000 to Rs 20,000,000. Presently, a bull has been sold at Rs 1,1 00,000, the vendors said.

Khadim Hussain, who has travelled from Rajanpur to put his animals on display, said the sacrifice of animals has become more of a fashion than a religious obligation.

“The vendors who are rich have set up tents and decorated them. They purchase animals from us at lower prices and then sell them at skyrocketing prices,” he complained. He says the rich people of the city do not bother to see the animals on display in the open air, which are available at low prices, rather they prefer visiting the decorated stalls and buy the same animals at thrice the prices. The cattle market administration offered no comments on the issue. On the other hand, the customers are feeling the heat of the increasing prices.

“Whatever the reasons are, the government should try to control the prices so that a common man can perform the obligation of the sacrifice,” said Ejaz Alam, who was visiting the market to purchase a ‘low-priced’ animal. “I am shocked by the prices. I was not expecting such exaggerated prices,” he said.

Home | Karachi

Share this story!