LAHORE: Like every year, this year, too, seasonal butchers have arrived in droves in the provincial capital to make good “fortunes” by slaughtering sacrificial animals on Eidul Azha. Estimates suggest that more than 10,000 butchers along with their team members would slaughter animals during three day of Eidul Azha. According to professional butchers, an expert team comprising four to six members can slaughter five to seven animals, including goats and oxen, a day, but seasonal butchers will try to slaughter more than the above mentioned figure to rake in more money. It becomes difficult on Eidul Azha to find professional butchers, given the workload during the all three days of Eidul Azha so the people have to hire seasonal and amateur butchers to get their animals slaughtered. Moreover, some professional butchers have displayed notices that read “Booking is closed until Eid” outside their shops. Taking advantage of the situation, seasonal and amateur butchers fill the vacuum. Slaughtering rates vary from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 for a goat or a sheep Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 for an ox and Rs 10,000 to 15,000 for a camel depending upon the size of the animal and the area. Professional butchers are of the view that seasonal and amateur butchers destroy the spirit of sacrifice as they carry out slaughtering of animals in an unprofessional may. Pakistan Tanners Association Secretary Fahim Ahmed Friday told Daily Times that around 25 percent hides removed by amateur butchers on Eidul Azha did not get handsome returns in national and international markets due to improper handling and preservation. Scratches on sacrificial animals’ skins by nails other pointed objects affect the price and inflict huge losses to the industry, he said. Published in Daily Times, September 2nd 2017.