Rising costs of animals, transportation and butchery push middle-class families toward shared slaughter
KARACHI:
Soaring prices, rising fuel costs and rising transport fares have made individual qurbani (ritual animal sacrifice) increasingly difficult for people this Eidul Azha, leading to a sharp rise in the trend of ijtimai qurbani (collective sacrifice) in the metropolis.
According to traders, welfare organizations and mosque administrations, prices of animals for sacrifice have increased by more than 50 percent compared to last year, forcing middle-class families to opt for collective slaughter arrangements through mosques, madrassas, welfare organizations and neighborhood groups.
Officials associated with welfare organizations told The Express PAkGazette that the worsening economic situation and rising cost of living had affected the purchasing power of the people.
“Individual qurbani has become extremely difficult not only for the poor but also for the middle class,” said Imran-ul-Haq, head of the qurbani department of a welfare organisation. “People with relatively stable economic conditions now prefer collective slaughter rather than purchasing animals individually.”
He estimated that the trend of collective qurbani had increased by 30 to 40 percent this year. According to him, most of the collective sacrifices are carried out on the first day of Eidul Azha, while a smaller number are carried out on the second and third days.
Animal traders said animals were being brought for sacrifice to Karachi from various districts of Punjab and Sindh, including Sahiwal, Rahim Yar Khan, Tando Adam and Mirpurkhas.
Trader Kashif Qureshi said prices varied depending on breed, weight and appearance. “Lightweight cows are available between Rs 120,000 and Rs 180,000, medium-sized animals between Rs 220,000 and Rs 350,000, while heavy and attractive animals are sold for up to Rs 1 million or more,” he added.
Goat prices, he added, start from Rs 50,000, while sheep are priced between Rs 60,000 and Rs 70,000 or more. “People are looking for affordable animals based on their financial ability, but the cost of feed, transportation and labor has increased significantly,” he said.
Mosque and madrasah committees across the metropolis have introduced different collective qurbani packages ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 per share.
Muhammad Asif Iqbal, secretary of a local mosque, said most citizens were booking shares priced between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000. He said large mosques and madrassas collectively slaughtered hundreds of animals every year, while welfare organizations also distributed meat to deserving families.
He said the skins collected during qurbani were sold under government regulations and the profits were used for religious and welfare purposes.
Meanwhile, social welfare organisations, including Chhipa, have also launched collective and individual sacrifice packages. Chhipa spokesperson Chaudhry Shahid Hussain said bookings for collective qurbani were continuing with most citizens opting for packages worth Rs 28,000 to Rs 30,000.
The growing demand for animals for slaughter has also boosted economic activity in Karachi. Temporary animal feed stalls, transportation services, and care camps have emerged in different locations, providing seasonal employment opportunities to hundreds of people.
Shippers said freight costs had risen nearly 60 percent due to rising fuel prices. “The minimum fare for transporting animals is now around Rs 4,000 and can exceed Rs 10,000 depending on the distance,” said transporter Imran Ahmed.
Professional butchers have also increased slaughter costs by 30 to 40 percent this year. According to butcher Kamran Qureshi, slaughtering a large animal on the first day of Eid could cost between Rs 25,000 and Rs 35,000, while goat slaughter costs range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000.
He said a shortage of experienced butchers had created opportunities for seasonal workers, many of whom offer lower rates but lack professional experience.
Authorities have allowed 21 livestock markets across the city, apart from the Northern Bypass livestock market. However, illegal animal markets have also appeared on roads in several areas, causing traffic congestion.
The Karachi commissioner’s office said action had been initiated against unauthorized livestock markets operating on roads and public spaces.
Officials at the Northern Bypass livestock market claimed that more than 60 per cent of animal sales had already been completed and families were still visiting the markets in large numbers during the day and night.
Despite the financial strain, Karachi residents continue preparations for Eidul Azha, with neighborhoods across the metropolis witnessing increased activity as families care for and guard their slaughtered animals late into the night.
