Sale of sacrificial animals gaining momentum

As less than a week left to celebrate the second biggest Muslim religious festival Eid-ul-Azha, sale of sacrificial animal is gaining momentum in the provincial capital Peshawar, but prices of all sacrificial animals have risen sharply, keeping the buyers at bay.
People are seen to be visiting different localities for buying sacrificial animals in Lala Kala market, Pajagai road and Ring Road in Peshawar and the traders have also started roaming in streets with their animals to attract buyers. However, it has been observed that there are more visitors assessing prices at the moment than actual buyers.
Traders are optimistic that prices will go up as Eid draws nearer, earning huge profits. "Since last Sunday, I have only sold 20 goats out of 50 available with me in Pachagai cattle market as buyers mostly come to the markets to get an idea about the prices and then return empty handed, " said Mosa Khan, a cattle trader in Pachagai road. He said the high cost of fodder, transportation of animals and a high fee of cattle market owners were contributing to an increase in cattle prices on the occasion of Eid-ul Azha.
During a visit to the Lala Kala cattle market, it was observed most buyers were interested in purchase of buffaloes, cows, oxen instead of goats, sheep and camels in order to be a shareholder in big animals by performing collective 'Qurbani' (sacrifice) keeping in view the high prices of small animals.
According to survey conducted by this scribe in local makeshift animals markets in Peshawar, prices of sacrificial animals have almost doubled as compared to normal days.
A cow and ox are now being sold at the price range of Rs 70,000-100,000, and Rs 150,000, while buffalo at Rs 40,000 - 60,000, Sheep available at Rs 20,000and goats Rs 15,000, respectively in the local markets, it was noticed. While, many roadside cattle traders are seen carrying a pair of goats, and sheep demanding Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000 depending on the weight and looks.
Despite the high prices, the sale of sacrificial animals has picked up momentum in the city's cattle markets where cows, buffalos, goats, sheep and camels are being herded in from Punjab, Sindh and different far flung districts of KP in a bid to get maximum profit in the lucrative market of Peshawar.
In addition to domestic traders, the inter-provincial businessmen dealing in cattle-head, are bringing their animals stock to Peshawar to get high prices. Not only local traders were present in the cattle market, but exporters of sacrificial animals from Sindh and Punjab were also seen selling their animals.
Traders say 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.