BAHAWALPUR
In Bahawalpur cattle market, the prices of sacrificial animals are touching the sky as billy goat of average size is available around Rs18,000 to Rs25,000 while buffaloes and cows are available at around Rs50,000 to Rs80,000.
The citizens are forced to do the window shopping in the cattle market, sacrificial animal has gone out of the reach of middle class. If the situation persists, thousands of people would remain deprived of observing the religious obligation this year. Last year, a goat of small size was available within the range of Rs8,000 to Rs9,000 while this year same size goat is available at Rs15,000 to Rs20,000. Billy goat of average size was available last year at 10 to 12 thousand rupees and this year the same size billy goat is available within the range of 20 to 25 thousand. Similarly calf, cow and buffalo were available last year in range of 40 to 45 thousand while the same are available this year at 50 to 80 thousand rupees. If this situation persists and prices do not go down, it is feared that thousands of Muslims would not be able to purchase the animal.
Asim. Kashif and Mohsin, the buyers, said, “We fear that this year we won’t be able to buy sacrificial animals because of high prices.” In this matter, dealers told the media that due to the inflation, prices of fodder and other things have increased due to which the prices of animals are higher than the last year.
ANTI-POLIO DRIVE: About 587,000 children under the age of 5 years in Bahawalpur District will be vaccinated against polio during three-day drive from 29th. Bahawalpur DCO Imran Sikandar Baloch was told this during the briefing held at the inauguration ceremony of the campaign in Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. The DCO directed Health, Education and social Department officials to observe this responsibility with honesty and ensure that no child should remain deprive of Polio Drops, he added that it is positive that Bahawalpur District is polio free. He said that all members of the civil society should play their role in the vaccination of the children. Principal Quaid e Azam Medical College Prof. Dr. Haroon Rasheed Pasha said that District Administration and Health Department is working effectively to ensure the elimination of Polio from our society.
EDO Health Dr Shahid Shafiq told that during the campaign Health Department’s mobile teams will vaccinate the children on their doorsteps on the 29th of September while on the next 2 days of campaign children who were left during the first day will be vaccinated.