Butchers raise rates prior to Eid

Author: Muzammil Ferozi

KARACHI: As Eidul Azha is around the corner; butchers in Karachi have raised rates for slaughtering sacrificial animals, even though there are no official or standard rates for a butcher’s services during Eid ul Azha.

According to a survey most of the professional butchers are demanding Rs20, 000 for slaughtering a camel Rs15,000 to 20,000 for a cow and other big animals. Rs 5000 to 10,000, for a goat or sheep the rates will be reduced up to half for second or third day of Eid.

The Karachities have become highly concerned after hearing about such hikes being on the cards for butcher’s services and commented that it will become a great burden on their pockets.

On the other hand a large number of people from different occupations will turn into seasonal butchers to earn as much as possible during these three days of Eid ul Azha.

One seasonal butcher, who is basically a Tailor, said that on Eid ul Azha people do not make new dresses so I don’t earn good money but I have to fulfill my family wishes so for the time being I become butcher.

Absar Qureshi, a professional butcher, said that it is our family occupation we do it every year as with everything else, the rates of slaughtering animals have gone up due to inflation.

Replying a question he said that indeed we charge hefty amounts because we are professional and many of seasonal butchers don’t know much about slaughtering and they take more time than the professionals.

We leave our family on Eid days so it is our right to charge some extra money so after that we could spare some time with our family happily.

“On last Eid, we would charge Rs10,000, to Rs 8,000 for big and for goat Rs 5,000. The rates can be altered according to the situation,” he said.

Shahzad Raza, a resident of Karachi said that people are already concerned over increasing prices of sacrificial animals, the increased rates for slaughtering has plunked further load on the people. He said that the local administration must fix the price instead of allowing butchers to charge people at their whimp.

Published in Daily Times, September 1^st 2017.