Despite that only three days left in Eid-ul-Azha, the sale of sacrificial animals could not gain momentum mainly because of soaring prices, and restricted permission of City District Government for the entry of sacrificial animals in the City, except for specified areas.
According to a survey conducted by the Business Recorder, the City District Government (CDG) has imposed section 144 CrPC on the sale and purchase of animals other than designated points including Salamatpura Mor on GT Road, Dongi Ground near Sunday Bazar Ghaziabad, Match Factory Shahdara, Expo Centre Johar Town, Sherakot Bund Road and Civic Centre near Township police station. Despite presence of expected buyers in specified areas, the sale of sacrificial animals remained sluggish.
Noor ur Rehman, a resident of Bhawalnagar, who brought hundreds of animals at Sherakot Bund Road point told this scribe they had to pay heavy transportation charges as well as fees for bringing in their animals. He was of the view that increase in prices of sacrificial animals was due to various 'legal and illegal charges' they had to pay to officials of different agencies while bringing their animals.
It has been revealed the sellers demand Rs 12 to 15 thousand for sacrificial goat weighing 20kg. Only a few buyers were seen examining the animals and negotiating prices with the dealers at Sherakot Bund Road, where cows were available in range of Rs 18 to 30 thousand, while camels were available at Rs 30 to 45 thousand. Cheaper heads were ranging between Rs 7 to 9 thousand.
Masood ul Haq, a resident of Samanabad, who was present there to purchase sacrificial goats, complained that presently the prices were touching unjustified height. He said he would purchase the animal when prices came down.
Abbas, a resident of Garhi Shahu said as soon the people set their minds for purchase of animals, the sale would gain momentum. About the animal prices hike, he said it had become a routine like other items.
Moreover, in view of high prices of sacrificial animals, a large number of people like previous year will prefer to opt for collective sacrifice of animals. The share in the collective sacrifice of animal is Rs 2000 to 2500 per person for cow and Rs 3500 to 4000 per person for goat.
During a visit to Civic Centre near Township police station, there was no significant activity for sale and purchase of animals.
Talking about high prices of sacrificial animals, a number of people urged the CDG to intervene to check higher prices being demanded by the animals' owners. They were of the view that government must play its role in creating a situation where religious rituals were done with easiness by the followers of Islam.
It is a common practice among the charitable organisations including religious groups to collect hides and sell them to leather traders for a hefty amount. Banners of various charitable organisations including Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Minhaj ul Qur'an etc, have been displayed in the city, urging the citizens to donate hides. In this regard, Shaukat Khanum Cancer Trust Hospital, Al-Khidmat Foundation of Jamaat-e-Islami, Edhi Foundation, Sahara Trust and various other organisations are all set to set up their stalls in various areas of the provincial metropolis for collection of hides.
Moreover, the CDG has chalked out an elaborate programme for keeping the city neat and clean during the Eid holidays. The Solid Waste Management Department of the City Government has been assigned the special task of disposing off offal, intestines and other waste of sacrificial animals.