Demand for butchers and charges go up

ISLAMABAD:

With Eidul Azha less than a week away, demand for butchers in the capital has surged significantly, driven by the anticipated increase in the slaughter of sacrificial animals during the Islamic festival.

While some residents have already purchased their animals, many are still searching for suitable livestock. In this context, the role of butchers has become crucial for ensuring proper slaughter and meat preparation.

Owing to their high demand and limited availability, professional butchers have increased their service charges compared to last year.

Khawar Shehzad, a butcher who also runs a meat shop in Islamabad's sector I-10, said that Eidul Azha is a special Islamic festival following the slaughtering of animals at a mass level, highlighting that everyone looked for professional butchers to chop their meat, which sparked high demand.

"Everyone looks for a professional and skilled butcher on Eidul Azha to ensure quality meat cutting - this is our peak season," he said.

Shehzad shared his slaughtering rates for this year, noting that cow slaughtering on the first day of Eid is priced at Rs25,000, while the rate drops to Rs20,000 on the second day. By the third day, the charges range between Rs15,000 and Rs18,000, depending on demand.

The charges for goat and sheep sacrifices range from Rs6,000 to Rs7,000, he added.

While residents of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) are eagerly preparing for Eidul Azha, many have expressed concerns over the soaring prices of sacrificial animals and the high fees charged by butchers.

Tariq Mahmood, a resident of the same sector who purchased his animal on Eid, said that he was trying to get the booking of a professional butcher for his meat preparation, who has high rates and high demand, adding, "If I can't book one, I'll go with a seasonal one."

According to Tariq, the seasonal butchers are more or less equally efficient and skilled, sharing his previous year's experience.

Despite the fact that the demand for professional and skilled butchers is notably high, people somehow manage to find a suitable person to sacrifice their animal.

To help meet the growing demand, many butchers from across the country also travel to Islamabad during Eid. These visiting butchers often charge slightly less and provide a practical solution to the city's shortage of skilled labour. Their presence also provided them an opportunity to enhance their earning more than they typically have in their hometowns.