Prices of sacrificial animals rise manifold

BAHAWALPUR: Cattle markets have been established in every city of the country including Bahawalpur, Sadiqabad and Rahim Yar Khan. A large number of people from middle-class backgrounds find it difficult to purchase sacrificial animals as prices of goats and other cattle have soared manifold. The only purchasing being done is between middlemen.

At this time, a goat is being sold at a minimum price of Rs30,000 while bigger animals including cows and bulls are being sold between Rs50,000 to Rs200,000.

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People visiting the cattle market said that in cattle market, prices of sacrificial animals are too high and not a single animal is available under Rs30,000. “The prices are too high due to the inflation so much so that we are not able to observe our religious obligations.”

A cattle broker Malik Taj Waseem said that there is a significant price increase in the price of petrol due to which prices of cattle are also increasing.

“There are other expenses besides that of the sacrificial animal such as transportation and bringing fodder for the animals. As the expenses increase, we are forced to increase the prices of cattle.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2019.