Cattle markets abuzz with activity

With Eidul Azha approaching fast, the sale of small and big sacrificial animals has begun in the twin cities. This year, the prices of sacrificial animals have reached the highest level in the country’s history.

Sacrificial animals at the cattle markets set up at Bata Chowk in Rawalpindi ahead of Eidul Azha. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

Due to high taxes and inflation, the rates have increased by an astronomical amount this year. It is expected that the sale of animals will decline this year as the middle class is likely to miss out on performing the Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi.

The prices of camels range from Rs450,000 to Rs600,000 this year, while bulls are priced between Rs300,000 and Rs1 million, and goats range from Rs100,000 to Rs2.5 million. However, well-bred and beautiful camels are priced even higher, at around Rs1 million; a good bull ranges from Rs1 million to Rs1.5 million, and well-bred rams or sheep are available for Rs300,000.

While shepherds around the city have already started selling goats and sheep, from next week onwards, 12 small and big cattle markets in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will start operating regularly. These will continue from June 5 to June 18.

The entry fee for the sale of a large animal in cattle markets this year has been fixed at Rs3,000 and Rs2,000 for a small animal. The cattle markets will provide space for temporary enclosures where dealers can keep animals at a hefty rent. Feed and water for the animals are already being sold in the market. Cattle dealers can order a water tanker for Rs1,800. Additionally, temporary electricity connections will also be provided in the cattle market, while transportation charges will be charged separately from dealers.

Big and small animals will be brought from areas of South Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir for sale in the market. Dealers have begun booking spaces for dens in major cattle markets such as those located nearby Bhata Chowk, Adiala Road, Chakri, Rawat, Chohar Chowk, Gulzar Quaid, Murir Chowk. Others will be set up adjacent to Sangeet Cinema, Ghazni Road, behind the High Court, Gulistan Colony, Pirwadhai, G11 in Islamabad, Bhara Kahu, Golra, and in Sihala.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, cattle dealers Feroze Abbasi and Khadim Chaudhary said that if the government abolishes the tax on sacrificial animals, allows free entry of animals in the markets, and also makes water free as a charity, then the prices of sacrificial animals will decrease by 30 to 40 per cent.

Transportation costs are another reason for high prices. Citizen and civil servant, Professor Ilyas Qureshi said, “Sacrifice is for the cause of Allah. There should be no tax or duty on sacrificial animals. Even at the government level, cheap animals should be sold from the Livestock Department to the employees; this will also bring income to the government.”