Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: As the Eid ul Azha is approaching fast, the livestock owners from various parts of the country have thronged in federal capital’s cattle markets to sale sacrificial animals against the prices of their will.

Purchasing animal against appropriate price was an art. If one was a good bargainer he could easily buy a sacrificial animal on a convenient price. The main Municipal Cattle Market of Federal Capital had been started formally in sector I-12 and large number of livestock dealers had already arrived in the city and set their points at cattle market.

There are four cattle markets approved in the capital that include Bhara Kahu, Tarlai, Rawat and a main market in sector I-12/1.

Majority of citizens is least interested in buying sacrificial animals due to fear of ‘Congo Virus’ and are hoping that sellers will sell animals on low prices this year as compared to last year. On the other hand, the departments concerned were seemed not active for making necessary arrangements for protection of animals from various diseases and stopping the entry of sick animals in the capital despite the threat of Congo virus that had already claimed several lives in the country. The different kinds of beautiful animals including goats, sheep, bulls, oxen and camels etc decorated with colorful garlands of beads, crowns and bells could be seen everywhere in market attracting the buyers.

It was witnessed in the market that a reasonable small sacrificial animal could be purchased against Rs 20,000 to 25,000 while big animal could be purchased in ranging Rs 50,000 to 80,000. There was a number of beautiful animals who attract the attention of buyers but the demands of the dealers for these unique animals were unaffordable for common person.

The livestock dealers said that people were seemed reluctant to visit cattle market due to the threat of Congo virus. They feared if the appropriate arrangements were not made by the civic bodies to satisfy the citizens they may face huge loss. Talking to Daily Times, a dealer said that he had arrived from Multan with 100 small sacrificial animals. The trend of purchasing the animals was less as compare to the last year due to low purchasing power in people and the fear of Congo virus was also another big factor, he added.

He said he had invested huge money in business of sacrificial animals and he also had to face heavy expenditure of feeding and caring the animals on daily basis.

Ali Ahmed, a citizen said that he was trying to buy a small animal through online dealers due to the threats of Congo virus.

It was an easy way to buy an animal against reasonable prices besides saving time of visiting cattle market, he added. Another buyer, Bilal said that the prices of the animals were high, he had only 20,000 monthly income to run his home expenditures and that is why he had decided to purchase a share in big sacrificial animal.

The sharing in big animals was also a good way for sacrificing on Eid ul Azha for low income families as one could purchase the share against about Rs 8,000 to 10,000.

When contacted a medical practitioner warned the people to visit cattle market by wearing masks and gloves to get protected from disease viruses.

Talking to this scribe, ICT Administration’s Veterinary Doctor, Mehmood Rasheed said that camps have been established in every cattle market and veterinary staff has been deputed in two shifts to ensure the care of animals.