| This story has nothing, and everything to do with the War on Terror. This article is from the Frontier Post, Peshawar's finest daily news in English (although they have not yet mastered the concept of 'permalinks'). It is fascinating reading, and overall, fairly good reporting. |
During a short survey of a number of sale points of sacrificial animals here on Monday a low turnout of the people was observed and they were seen bargaining with sellers at 50 per cent less than the demanded prices. Market sources revealed that a good number of people hailing from Attock and Chhach Valley had preferred to donate their sacrificial animals and amounts to earthquake victims of 8th October of Kashmir, Balakot now residing in Aashiana situated in Ghazi Barotha Colony under the aegis of Khubaib Foundation near G T road Hattian, âAghoshâ launched by Al-Khidmat Foundation Attock and Tent village in Fatehjang. Similarly, scores of people who had been slaughtering animals for the last so many years are now purchasing cows and camels on sharing basis to fulfill the religious obligation.Prices prevalent at local sale points this year show 15 to 20 per cent increase than that of the last year while some breeders are demanding extraordinary price on the basis of their animalsâ beauty and health.
At present, sellers are demanding Rs7,000 to Rs9,000 for a lamb, which was available for Rs5,000 to Rs6,000 in the market last year. A goat which was available at Rs9,000 previous year is now being sold for Rs12,000. Prices of cows and camels are worrisome for the middle class as breeders are demanding Rs35,000 to Rs40,000 for an average size cow and Rs50,000 to Rs60,000 for a camel. However, after bargaining, cows are being sold at Rs25,000 to Rs28,000 and camels for around Rs40,000. On the other hand, the cattle dealers claimed that owing to manifold increase in prices of all daily-use items, including mutton and beef, they were left with no other option except to demand maximum amount for their animals. They further claimed that the town administrations were charging Rs200 for a big animal and Rs100 for a goat for entry into sale points. Similarly, the local police on duty were seemed to extort their share. Some of the breeders from far-flung areas told that wealthy middlemen and dealers had stocked herds of animals months before Eidul Azha at very nominal prices and disposed them of at inflated rates now.
The buyers citizens have blamed the government for its complete failure to introduce any policy for the sale of sacrificial animals in the country. They alleged that a substantial number of healthy animals have been smuggled to Afghanistan through different entry points of NWFP and Punjab via G T road Attock Khurd creating a shortage of the animals with the connivance of the cattle smugglers and law enforcement agencies. They said breeders and middlemen were charging according to their sweet will and there was no system to check prices of sacrificial animals. They said the district government instead of providing relief to the people on the eve of Eid was imposing taxes on breeders visiting the city areas for the sale of sacrificial animals. They further said that 50% of the total amount is being charged from the breeder on entry into the sale point and the remaining from the purchaser during exit of the animal.
The majority of vendors were of the view that people were not interested in buying animals, in fact they were only âwindow shoppingâ. They said that sales would gain further momentum the night before Eid if the weather does not dampen our hopes. They are of the view that more than a week, the sales of sacrificial animals has not been that good because of the chilly weather, which has forced people to stay at home.
It was also observed that Butchersâ rates are different for various animals according to localities. Butchers in posh localities are demanding Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 per goat while they are demanding Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per goat in middle class areas. They are charging Rs 15,00 to 22,00 for cows, but the rate is Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 for mosques while the rate for camels is Rs 2,000 to 2,500. Such as, Fodder is being sold for Rs 200 per 0.04-ton. At the end, it was calculated that the Average Animal Prices in 2006 Prices in 2005 were Goats and Sheep Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000 Rs 8,000-Rs 15,000 Buffalo and Cow Rs 25,000-Rs 40,000 Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 Camels Rs 30,000-Rs 50,000 Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 as well.