Sacrificial animals: 'Hiding' in Lahore

LAHORE:

Unlike Karachi, the hide-collection process in Lahore remains a peaceful activity. Two major recipients of hide donations during Eidul Azha are Edhi Trust and Shaukat Khanum Foundation.

In 2012, Edhi collected hides worth Rs3.7 million while the latter managed to collect hides worth Rs40 million from around the country – Lahore being the major contributor.

Permission to set up hide-collection camps is given by the district administration to only those trusts that do not have connections to banned outfits. However, despite the scrutiny, Jamaat ud Dawa managed to set up camps around the city under a different name. No political party is directly involved in gathering hides, except for Jamaat-e-Islami’s Al-Khidmat Foundation that is seen actively collecting them.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2013.