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RAWALPINDI, May 30 (APP):As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, the city’s sacrificial animals’ markets have become the destination of festivity for people.
The largest market, set up at Bhatta Chowk, has become the central hub for buyers and sellers, offering a variety of sacrificial animals, including cows, bulls, camels, goats, and sheep.
The market’s capacity to hold nearly 100,000 animals, has drawn visitors from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, to find the perfect sacrificial animals.
Located at the junction of the twin cities, the cattle market has been provided security measures jointly by Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations to ensure smooth operations within the market.
Visitors while talking to APP have appreciated the arrangements, observing the ease with which they can navigate through the sections to inspect animals. However, amid the excitement, they have also shown concerns about the rising prices of the animals.
Many buyers expressed that the cost of animals has gone beyond their budget this year.
Tahir Malik said he would prefer collective sacrifice where 5 or 7 people share a single animal to manage expenses.
Families, including women and children, visit through the market, particularly in evening time. The festive atmosphere is attractive, with laughter, bargaining, and the sonorous bells hanging in animals necks.
Irshad, a vendor in the market said selling was getting momentum slowly.
“I have brought here 20 animals including sheep and goats, but hardly 4 have been sold. Visitors inquire about prices and walk away”, he said.
Usman, searching for a small animal said RCB should work on standard base prices to stop overcharging. He also highlighted issues relating to animals’ health conditions.
“The overall atmosphere is good, however vet services are required in the market to certify the required health standard of the sacrificial animals”, he said.
Meanwhile, butchers have also started their preparations through advertising their contact details. The slaughtering fees starting from Rs. 5,000.0 for small animals to a staggering Rs. 20,000.0 for large ones have also been discredited by the citizens. They expressed the hope the administrative measures would be taken to regulate these charges.
On the cleanliness front, the Cantonment Board has assured special measures to manage waste during the three days of Eid.
“Besides regular activities inside the market, the RCB teams will patrol key areas, including Saddar, Lal Kurti, Tench Bhatta People’s Colony and other Cantt areas, to promptly clear animals’ offal”, said a spokesman RCB.