Like most other businesses in Karachi, collecting hides of sacrificial animal is a profitable venture.
So much so that apart from political and religious activists, it attracts, if security agencies are to be believed, people from Afghanistan, Kashmir, and even as far afield as Palestine.
Every year, political and religious organisations mobilise hundreds of workers to collect thousands of hides that, in turn, earn them millions.
Where the money is used is a different story altogether.
Race to ‘hides’
Karachi hosts several outlawed organisations and most work under dummy names, or under names of trusts or charities.
The outfits are expected to collect a lot more hides this year compared to previous years, Crime Investigation Department (CID) SSP Fayyaz Khan told The Express Tribune.
The money obtained from the hides is used for terrorism, running the organisations, legal affairs of the apprehended companions, running the families of slain associates as well as to cushion the organizations against financial crunch since all of them face financial problems, Khan added.
Expected clashes
So what will be the hot-spots for hide collections?
Pashtun-dominated areas like Sohrab Goth, Manghopir, Kunwari Colony, Sultanabad, Pakhtoonabad, Kati Pahari, Pahar Ganj, Ittehad Town, Baldia Town and Keamari, where the Taliban have a significant presence, and New Karachi, North Karachi, Shah Faisal Colony, Model Colony, Surjani, Shah Latif and some parts of Orangi Town, where other banned organisations rule the roost are prospective hot-spots for clashes over hide collection.
Inhabitants of Manghopir and its surrounding areas, for instance, told The Express Tribune that they have been asked to directly donate the hides of their sacrificial animals to the Taliban.
“Previously, hides were given to seminaries or Pashtun-based political parties. But this time, the Taliban have said that hides should be given to them directly, and not to any seminary, or else people would bear consequences,” said a resident of the area, on condition of anonymity.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2012.
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All collection of hides goes to non state actors .totla hides collected on karachi is 3 million average price is rs 1500 for all type.gross amount is rs 450 crore which is rs 4.5 Bln or Usd 40 Mln dollar .