The acute shortage of cattle and continued legal and illegal export of sacrificial animals to Afghanistan has irked the residents of Federal Capital and NWFP, making the common man to think twice whether or not to perform the most sacred act known as 'Sunnah-e-Ibrahimi' on this Eid ul Azha being celebrated on 21st of January. At least 40 to 50 percent rise has been recorded in the prices of small and big sacrificial animals this year as compared to last year, which has seriously hurt the purchasing power of the middleman.
This was observed during a survey conducted by the Business Recorder here on Monday. Talking to this correspondent, a seller of cattle in Islamabad animal market, Amjad Khattak from Karak District NWFP revealed that Monday was the third day of the market but not a single customer bought a cow or sheep from them.
The Capital Development Authority has set up a 'sacrificial animals' market' near I-11 and charge Rs 5 from the owners of small animals while Rs 10 have been fixed for big animals.
The ongoing smuggling of cattle to Afghanistan from most parts of the NWFP has caused substantial increase in the prices of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid ul Azha to be observed on 21st of this month.
Usually, the traditional purchase of sacrificial animals to mark Eid ul Azha gains momentum one week prior to Eid.
Eid ul Azha is fast approaching but no hustle bustle is seen in the twin cities for Eid shopping and purchase of sacrificial animals.
It was also noticed, a sheep was being sold at Rs 23,500 whereas prices of ox and cows were ranging between Rs 20,000 to Rs 60,000.
However, somebody has displayed a huge banner in I-11 market inscribed with 'attention attention' that a pair of Ox is available for sale against Rs 0.9 million.
Amjad Khattak told Business Recorder that prices were 40 percent up this year as compared to the last year. Presently, the rate of a sheep was Rs 4,000 as compared to Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,400 last year.
Another seller Zafar Hayat from Attock said he bought goat and sheep whose rates were in between Rs 6,000 to Rs 35,000 but no one was ready to purchase even at that rate yet.
However, he blamed the government for that sky rocketing prices in animal market, which was caused due to rapid increase in POL price.
The traders said they rushed their sacrificial animals from far-flung areas of Punjab and NWPF including Khushab, Tala Gang, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Karak and Bannu by paying huge amount on transport.
"We have to pay Rs 100 to Rs 300 to CDA's Directorate of Municipal Administration as tax but no facilities like water and shelter were provided for the animals that put the lives of sacrificial animals in danger", the traders added.
The reason for animals' severe shortage is stated its export to Afghanistan mainly because of decades long infighting, civil war and drought in the war devastated country. The shortage of animals has also increased the meat prices in NWFP and Punjab i e Rs 100 and Rs 120 per kilo. Nasir Mehboob, from Akora Khattak, an animal exporter to Afghanistan, disclosed those animals in Pakistan were more cheap than Kabul or other parts of war-shattered country.
But, he said the requirement of animals was more in Afghanistan that made acute shortage in Pakistan, causing sudden rise in the meat prices.
Another exporter, who did not want to be named, said he had personally seen weeks several shepherds crossing the border into Afghanistan with large number of sheeps, goats and cows to fetch better prices.
This practice had witnessed frequently in recent years and even now animals were exported to the neighbouring country, he added.
Besides this, chicken and eggs were also being smuggled to Afghanistan, which rose the shaver egg price up to Rs 5 in the NWFP touching new high since its introduction in the province.
If the smuggling or export of animals to Afghanistan goes on without any check, it is feared that many faithful may be deprived of offering sacrifice this year.
Another big reason of ever-highest rates during the last couple of year that most of the regular buyers of the sacrificial animals have bought the sacrificial animals well in advance in view of the skyrocketing increase in the prices of animals this year.
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