LAHORE - As compared to the last year, more animals were sacrificed on the occasion of Eidul Azha.
President Tahafuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat Mahaz and administrator of a seminary, Allama Razaul Mustafa, said that the trend of sacrifices had been ever increasing despite worst inflation prevailing in the country. He told that about 40 animal were slaughtered as cost-sharing sacrifice from the platform of the seminary.
Moreover, the trend of collective sacrifice (cost-sharing or Ijtamai qurbani) of animals has increased compared to previous year as the people have lost purchasing power due to price hike. The trend of individual sacrifice has decreased resulting decrease in sale of sacrificial animals like goats, lambs and sheep. However, due to increased trend of cost-sharing sacrifices, a slight increase in the sale of big animals like camels, bulls and cows was noticed. According to the traders of animals most of the people opted to purchase big sacrificial animals this year for Ijtamai qurbani.
The residents of provincial metropolis said that this year the prices of animals were 50 percent more than pervious year.  “High prices of sacrificial animals have forced the people to opt for collective sacrifice which is cheaper than the individual,” said a resident Faizur Rasool.
On the other hand, traders of animals are of the view that the due to inflation overall, the prices of sacrificial animals had increased. Traders said that this time the average prices of sheep and goat remained between Rs 20,000 to Rs35,000. They further said last year the prices were between Rs15,000 to Rs20,000. Likewise, the prices of big animals like cows and bulls remained between Rs 50,000 to Rs 20,0000 at average. The cost-sharing sacrifices offered by various religious organisations or at personal level were available between prices of Rs 7000 to 10000.
According to reported survey, 52 percent households spend Rs 10,000 to 30,000 on buying a sacrificial animal. The survey shows that 55 percent households sacrifice goat or sheep.
According to the residents, this year butchers have charged Rs 1500 to 3500 for small animals and Rs 5000 to 8000 for larger animal. For camels butchers have charged average Rs 10,000. It is also witnessed that more animals were slaughtered in urban areas.