Offering sacrifice becoming Herculean task

ISLAMABAD (USMAN CHEEMA & ISRAR AHMED) – The people living across the country have lost their purchasing power due to shaking economy and lesser buyers of sacrificial animals were observed this year as compared to previous years.
As per market sources, it was learnt that people who used to alter animals on Eid-ul-Azha on regular basis, this year they found it hard to keep it up and sacrifice animal like always. It is also worth mentioning here that the number of people is decreasing every year those sacrifice animals on Eid.

The major reason behind this is increasing cost of living and static income level. In the government sector every year some raise in salaries is offered to employees but workers working in private sector are suffering a lot.
It was observed that the price of a goat starts from Rs 15000 that year that started from Rs 12000 last year. Presently the sellers and buyers both are in a fix because the cost of looking after animals has also increased so sellers cannot offer much lesser price and on the other side the buyers have no increase in their income level so they are unable to buy.
It is also worth mentioning here that trend of shared sacrifice have increased during the last few years but this year many find them unable to buy a share in a cow being sacrificed by the group of seven as per Islamic law.
Around Rs 2000-3000 have been increased in terms of share in shared sacrificial of animals. Last year the one person’s share started from Rs 5,000 that was increased this due to inflation to Rs 7,000-8,000.
Overall opinions of the public shows that only capitalists would survive in Pakistan in future as they have gained unlimited powers during the few years and are in a position to exploit the workers and whole economy as well.
Meanwhile, lack of basic facilities and very high rates of sacrificial animals at various cattle markets in the district have irked the buyers, compelling them to return homes with empty hands.
The animal sellers are charging 40 to 50 per cent more than last year due to higher feed and fuel costs. A large number of people making their mind to contribute money for a joint sacrifice rather than buying a whole animal (bull or ox) while some said they would buy some goat, sheep or calf just a few hours before Eid (Friday late night) when prices would come down.
Meanwhile, the contractors of cattle markets and animal sellers complained about high transport costs, feeble security and lack of facilities at the markets.
The price were expected to come down on Friday evening, a day before Eid-ul-Azha, when the animal sellers coming from far-off districts of Mianwali, Attock, Chakwal, Chashma, DI Khan, Layyah and other parts of southern Punjab pack their luggage to go back to home.
Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) high-ups had made no arrangements to cope with threats of Congo virus among the people.
On the other hand, the mobile cattle sellers added the woes of general public in the streets and on the roads.
During a visit, paid by this scribe on Thursday, cattle markets set up at Adyala Road, Dhoke Seydan, Channi Alam Sher, Rawat and Pirwadhai it was revealed that a small and big goats, lambs and sheep were being sold at Rs 18,000 to 50,000 while the big animals like bulls and ox were available at Rs 55,000 to 200,000, thus making them (animals) untouchable for the buyers.
Adeel Nisar of Tench Bhatta, who deemed worry after paying a long visit at Dhoke Seydan cattle market but could not find a low price animal, told this scribe the rate of the animals were very high. A small or medium goat was being sold at Rs 25,000 to 48,000, he said adding that “I have Rs 20,000 in my pocket only”.
He said that he was contemplating to share in the sacrifice of big animal at his town.
“I have been wondering in the cattle market since morning but could not find a cheaper animal for sacrifice. The traders are charging some 40 percent more than the last year. I bought a small goat against Rs 16,000 last year but the same goat is available at Rs 28,000 to 30,000 this year. The animals have become out of reach of middle class” said Shahid Bhatti, a businessman.
A trader Shahid Amin, who arrived from Mianwali to sale his animals at Pirwadhai cattle market, he would not reduce the price of his animals as he had to meet the expenses of traveling and keeping the animals at the cattle market.
A contractor, seeking anonymity, said that RCB have not send any doctor to examine the sick animals at Dhoke Seydan cattle market, thus endangering the lives of buyers and traders and other area residents.
He said that on their request, a doctor was sent by RCB for one hour and later the doctor never came back.
Moreover, RCB and CDGR had levied heavy taxes at the cattle markets but have not provided any facility or security to the contractors and traders.
For every goat the seller has to pay Rs200 and for bigger animal Rs300 before entering the markets in different localities of Rawalpindi.
A contractor Raja Mushtaq told The Nation that though the RCB had auctioned the temporary cattle market in Dhoke Syedan against Rs 2 million but no facilities such as water for animals and electricity at night had been provided.
There was no security in the cattle markets from animal thieves and from miscreants. The fear of theft and any mischief keep us awake all the night in the markets, he said.
The sellers had to keep extra men for security of animals and securing food and water for them when kept in the cattle markets, he said.
CDGR, reportedly, made no arrangements to tackle the treat of Congo virus as no spray campaign was launched anywhere in the city or in cattle markets. The mobile sellers of animal freely roaming in thick populated areas round the clock.
The traders at Adyala Road expressed their deep concerned over the setting up a cattle market at Mubarak Lane. They said that the animals not only spreading dirt in the area but also causing huge traffic block in the locality.
They said that their businesses have been going in big loss. They demanded CM Punjab Mian Shehbaz Sharif to take action against the incompetent CDGR high ups as they have failed to control the sale of animals in residential areas.
Despite several attempts, DCO Saqib Zafar was not approached for his comments on the issue