High Animal Prices Drive ‘Ijtamai Qurbani’ Trend

APP

Rawalpindi: Due to the soaring prices of sacrificial animals, many people are opting for collective Qurbani rituals instead of individual sacrifices during Eid ul Azha.

There has been a significant rise in the cost of sacrificial animals nationwide. 

As a result, the practice of “Ijtamai Qurbani” is gaining popularity. Residents from various neighborhoods are organizing joint sacrifices with the support of local religious institutions and social organizations, including mosques and madrassas. 

Many are also pooling resources with relatives and friends for collective ‘Qurbani’.

“In these challenging economic times marked by inflation, participating in a collective Qurbani organized by nearby institutions like a madrassa or mosque is more feasible,” said Majeed, a resident. 

“For a share, we only need to spend between Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, which is affordable.”

Nadeem, another citizen, highlighted, “The ongoing economic difficulties, with limited incomes and rising animal prices over recent years, have spurred the trend of collective sacrifices.”

Costly Livestock Market

This year, animal prices have seen a further increase compared to last year due to higher transportation costs and associated expenses. 

Bulls, for instance, now range from Rs 70,000 to Rs 150,000 each, with A category bulls starting at Rs 200,000 and going up, and B category bulls ranging from Rs 100,000 to Rs 150,000. Prices for goats and sheep have also risen by up to 50 percent.

The prices for A category goats and sheep have risen from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000, while B category prices have increased from Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, and C category prices now start from Rs 25,000. In the cattle market, goats and sheep were priced between Rs 65,000 to Rs 140,000, whereas bulls were priced from Rs 300,000 to Rs 450,000.

As Eid approached, the sale of sacrificial animals was gaining momentum. The Rawalpindi district administration had established temporary cattle markets at 11 different locations across the district for Eid ul Azha.

A spokesperson for the district administration stated that all arrangements had been finalized as per the directives of the Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi.

Five cattle markets were set up in Rawalpindi city, two in Gujar Khan, two in Taxila, and one each in Kallar Syedan and Kahuta.

Assistant Commissioners and Chief Officers of Municipal Corporations were instructed to oversee these markets.

The spokesperson mentioned that no one was permitted to set up sacrificial animal markets in city areas. Special teams were deployed to take action against any violations, including imposing fines and confiscating animals from offenders.

Similar to last year, sellers of sacrificial animals were prohibited from entering the city to maintain cleanliness. Sale of sacrificial animals in cantonment areas was reported to be banned, as per sources from the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB).

Special teams had been formed to fine the violators and even confiscate their animals, they added.

The officials of the Livestock and Health Department while talking to APP informed that they have established special camps at the city’s entry points, all cattle markets, and sale points of sacrificial animals for the prevention of the Congo virus.

All possible precautionary measures in this regard were being taken, they said, adding that solid steps for the treatment of animals suffering from any disease including the Congo virus were also being taken so that the citizens could be protected from any threat.

Besides all the sale points and cattle markets were being sprayed, they added.

The staff of the authorities concerned had also been deployed and the exercise would continue without any break till Eidul Azha, they said.