Prices of an entire range of sacrificial animals from goats to bulls have witnessed a manifold increase as Eid-ul-Azha approaches making it difficult for buyers to purchase sacrificial animals. A survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Wednesday revealed that the prices of sacrificial animals have almost doubled as compared to normal days as a normal goat is being offered at Rs 30,000 against Rs 15,000.
The survey also observed that as compared to past years this time around there are less number of animals brought to the animal markets of the twin cities from various parts of the country, especially from remote areas, but their prices are too high. A normal bull or cow is offered at Rs 150,000 while good quality animals are priced in the range of Rs 200,000 to Rs 300,000, some animals are offered at even Rs 1 million due to beauty and extra weight. Flat tailed sheep is offered at Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000, good quality goat in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000.
The survey observed that purchasing of a sacrificial animal is all dependent on the bargaining power of a buyer as well as basic know how with the matters, otherwise traders are ready to fleece them. Animal traders giving the reasons for high sacrificial animal prices said that since prices of fodder had gone high, transportation cost, cost of accommodation and market charges are 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 on them," a trader said.
"Till few years ago, I sacrificed a goat regularly on every Eid ul Azha but this year it is out of my reach," said Asif Zahir, an assistant professor of Ripah International University. People at animal market talking to this correspondent said that as buying of a sacrificial animal is not affordable to them especially to salaried class they are purchasing bulls and other big animals to collectively perform the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim sacrifice due to high prices of animals.
They said last year Rs 8,000-10,000 was share of a joint sacrifice but this year it has gone to Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per head, adding that still it was in their range. This year, the city district government Rawalpindi has set up seven animal markets across the city besides there is a permanent Bakra Mandi. To avoid traffic rush and to keep the city clean, the temporary markets have been set up outside the city.
At some markets, there are only goats and sheep while at others, cows can also be seen. Only a small number of camels are seen in the animal markets as according to animal traders and buyers sacrificing camels is not a popular trend in twin cities. Raja Naseer Khan a Businessman said that elite and super rich class is now preferring online purchase of sacrificial animals and the trend is slowly gaining momentum in the country. He said that this practice makes life easier for people in general and the privileged class in particular because they do not have time to make a trip to the market to choose from among the sacrificial animals. These details are given separately to help a customer choose the animal. The animals' price may be a little higher than the traditional market but the difference is usually adjusted by offers of free delivery.