960401

Buying enthusiasm

less for sacrificial

animals

WIRASAT HUSSNAIN

KARACHI: Despite moderate prices of sacrificial animals, buying enthusiasm was less evident on Saturday afternoon, which indicated that the market may further go down making it possible for middle income group people to purchase at the last moment.

Average price for a goat on Saturday was Rs 1800 to Rs 2200, and a medium size cow could be had for Rs 6000 to Rs 7000.

Compared to last year, the prices of sacrificial animal have not risen much this year and those who have laid by some money during the year for the purchase of a sacrificial animal would not be returning home with cast down looks.

Market sources have attributed the slight stability in the prices to a improved supervision by law enforcing agencies, and disappearance of gonda tax/bhatta collectors.

"But this should not be taken as a certificate of clean handling of the entire affair", said one farmer who has come to Karachi from Rahimyar Khan. He said because of some fear of high-ups, police and other law enforcing agencies who used to charge their Huq separately till last year, have decided to collect it jointly and distribute it their shares quietly but strictly in accordance with their nuisance value.

Another cattle broker said the arrangement did not bother them as long as it did not affect their business. "We are here to sell our animals and not to fight the police or anyone else. The sooner our livestock is disposed off the better. We will not have to sell our animals to local butchers who try to purchase animals after Eid at throw-away prices. And then add the cost of our over stay in the city, where no one knows us. There are instances where our relatives who came to Karachi last year did not accompany us this year as they had lost every paisa earned here to the police and on boarding and lodging."

Arrivals of fresh stock of animals continue creating congestion at Sohrab Goth, Azizabad, Petrol Pump area, Alkaram Square, Liaquatabad, Tin Hatti, Burns Road, Frear Road, Pakistan Chowk, Bakra Piri, Mehmoodabad, Korangi and Landhi, besides a number of other road-side make-shift markets in posh areas of the city.

However, the road-side markets in posh areas do not attract many buyers who do not mind motoring down to other localities where cheaper animals are available.

So far the cheapest market of sacrificial animals established is in Landhi where good quality cows and goats are not only available in abundance but comparatively on cheaper prices. A healthy goat weighing approximately 40 kg is available at Rs 2000 to Rs 2200 at Landhi is available at Rs 2500 to Rs 3000 in the make-shift markets inside the city, and similarly a cow weighing around 80 kg is available at Rs 6800 to Rs 7400 at Landhi and at 7500 to Rs 8000 in city markets.

Sheep is also in demand and available on cheaper prices as Karachiites have a preference for goat than for other animals.

Camel market has, however, fewer buyers as the sacrifice (Naher) of this animal is yet to become popular.

According to a conservative estimate of toll tax collectors, more than 100 truckloads of animals were coming into the city per day for the last four days. That is, "More than one million animals, including all kinds have already arrived in the city market for the Feast of Sacrifice.