Inflation-hit citizens opt for collective sacrifice

As the prices of sacrificial animals have skyrocketed ahead of Eidul Azha, the trend of collective sacrifices (ijtamai qurbani) has gained momentum in the Rawalpindi district. The residents of various localities have arranged collective sacrifices with the cooperation of various religious and social organisations including local madrassash and mosques besides their relatives and friends.

"It’s better to take part in the collective qurbani arranged by a nearby madrassah or mosque during these hard times of inflation, we will do so because we will have to spend only Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 for a share," said Majeed, a resident. The prevailing economic crunch has led to limited incomes and livelihood amid steady increases in animal prices in recent years and has further led to the trend of collective sacrifices, another citizen Nadeem said.

The prices of the sacrificial animals have further increased this year as compared to last year owing to an increase in the transportation charges and other associated expenses. The prices of bulls in the market have jacked up from Rs70,000 to Rs150,000 per animal as compared to last year as the prices of A category bulls have surged from Rs200,000 to Rs300,000 and onwards, the prices of B category bulls have increased from Rs100,000 to Rs150,000, and the prices of C category have surged from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000.

The prices of goats and sheep have also increased by up to 50%. The prices of the A category goat/sheep have increased from Rs40,000 to Rs60,000, the prices of the B category have increased from Rs30,000 to Rs40,000, and the C category to Rs25,000 and above. The prices of a goat and sheep in the cattle market were witnessed from Rs 65,000 to Rs 140,000, while the prices of bulls were recorded from Rs 300,000 to Rs450,000.

Cattle markets in full swing

Meanwhile, as Eid day draws nearer, the sale of sacrificial animals gains pace. The Rawalpindi district administration has set up temporary cattle markets at 11 different places in the district in connection with Eid.

According to a district administration spokesman, the administration following the directives of the Deputy Commissioner has finalised all the arrangements.

Five cattle markets have been established in Rawalpindi city, two each in Gujjar Khan and Taxila, and one each in Kallar Syedan and Kahuta. Assistant Commissioners and Chief Officers of the Municipal Corporations concerned have been directed to supervise the cattle markets, he informed.

The spokesman further informed that no one is being allowed to set up a market for sacrificial animals in city areas as special teams have been formed to take action against the violators, besides imposing fines and confiscating their animals. Like last year, the sellers of sacrificial animals are not being allowed to enter the city in a bid to keep the city clean.

Sources in the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) said that the sale of sacrificial animals has been banned in the cantonment areas and special teams have been constituted to fine the violators and even confiscate their animals.

Officials representing the departments of livestock and health say special camps have been set up at the city's entry points, all cattle markets and sale points for the prevention of the Congo virus and all possible precautionary measures are being taken for the treatment of animals suffering from Congo virus.

All sale points and cattle markets are also being sprayed, the staff of the authorities concerned has also been deployed and the entire exercise will continue without any break till the conclusion of the Eidul Azha holidays.