KARACHI - The preparations for Eidul Azha have started with setting up of a cattle market in Gulshan Town near Sohrab Goth here, covering an area of around 800 acres of land. Besides, at least two hundred tents will be installed in the upcoming Super Highway cattle market on the eve of Eidul Azha this year. An area stretching over 800 acres has been earmarked for this purpose. Goats and sheep are brought to Karachi from Mirpurkhas, Tharushah, Umer Kot, Nawabshah, Badin and some other areas of interior Sindh. Farmers in Badin and Thatta districts generally do not rear animals in their areas due to the presence of some sort of flies which suck the blood of livestock. They manage to sell these animals in other areas of the province. The areas known for livestock are currently facing massive destruction due to floods and there are reports of huge livestock losses in these areas. Generally, 90 percent of sacrificial goats/sheep are transported to the metropolis from interior Sindh. On the other side, the market does not get power supply from the Karachi Electric Supply Company and uses generators for power generation, while the water supply is maintained through water tankers. This year, special arrangements had been made to illuminate the market during nights. Around 8,000 lights would be installed at the market. Some banks would open at least its three booths and there would be a mobile 1 link ATM van for the convenience of buyers. According to a survey conducted by TheNation, this Eid has become a show off and status symbol event. Traders narrated a many stories, saying in many cases rich people buy animals just for show off. It is pertinent to mention that the Asian Development Bank issued damages and needs assessment of the flood-hit areas of Sindh. As per the report, these areas suffered Rs 67.34 billion loss and they need minimum Rs 45.79 billion. Umair Sheikh, a resident of Bafarzone, said the rich purchase expensive animals but did not send money for flood-affected people. He said, I know a man who lives in North Nazimabad and buys 25 cows, 50 goats, and two camels. This is an exhibition of money on the occasion. I dont know why our religious scholars do not give a Fatwa against the phenomena. He further said that on the other side, the poor are not able to sacrifice even a single animal and they had to plan to give share in a collective sacrificial animal due to inflation. The citys cattle market is likely to face a shortage of around 100,000 sacrificial animals due to the massive floods in Sindh this year, raising fears of a price hike of animals. A cattle farmer, Nabi Buksh, expressed the hope that it would not bring about any major hike in the prices. However, he said, higher transportation charges due to higher fuel prices might affect the rates.