The owners of sacrificial animals have increased prices manifold on the eve of Eid-ul- Azha being celebrated on November 7, 2011, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed. A visit to different temporary markets in the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad revealed that despite sky-rocketing prices of the sacrificial animals, people in large number thronged to Mandi Bakra to buy animals.
However, majority of them just came to see the animals and check its prices, as they were of the view that their prices might be reduced on the last days before Eid day. The survey revealed that the prices of the animals are not similar, as it depends on their health and weight. Sheep was available at Rs 15000 to 40000. Similarly prices of healthy goats ranged from Rs 12000 to Rs 25000. Besides, the small animals, rates of bulls and cows are very high, which start from Rs 50,000 to Rs 200,000 according to their health weight and race.
People told this correspondent that inflation has hit hard the purchasing power of the people due to which the sale of sacrificial animals has registered a declining trend. The rates of sacrificial animals have gone out of reach of the middle income group, they added.
Even goat is no more affordable for them to sacrifice individually and they are compelled to sacrifice animals jointly. Even some animal buyers were seen returning empty handed owing to high prices of animals. Residents of the twin cities, especially those belonging to middle and lower middle class are finding it hard to buy sacrificial animals due to escalating prices, adding that even they could not afford collective Qurbani (Sacrifice).
Traders were of the view that keeping in view the price of each and every item like animals food, which is increasing with each passing day, the prices of these animals are still reasonable. They said that despite blaming for overcharging, one should see that there is not enough profit margin.
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