- Title: PAKISTAN: High prices bombard cattle and livestock markets ahead of Eid
- Date: 6th November 2011
- Summary: EXPENSIVE SPECIAL CALF OUTSIDE VIP TENT SHOPPERS BARGAINING TRADER SHOWING COW'S TEETH TO CUSTOMER, MOHAMMAD WASEEM (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) CUSTOMER, MOHAMMAD WASEEM, SAYING: "The people now prefer a collective sacrifice as they share the animal with father, mother and brothers. In past, a person was able to slaughter the whole animal. The prices were Rs.70,000, 80,000, but
- Embargoed: 21st November 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Pakistan, Pakistan
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- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Economy,Religion,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA5RNO2JZV272RW4I8110TSCU6N
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- Story Text: Sky-rocketing prices have dampened the traditional buying and selling of livestock in Pakistan ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Adha, the day of sacrifice when Muslims the world over slaughter animals and feed the poor to seek God's forgiveness.
One of Asia's largest, this cattle market on the outskirts of the southern port city and commercial capital Karachi grows in size every year on the eve of Eid-al-Adha.
Thousands of handsome, healthy and high pedigree animals collected from across the country are brought to the market to be sold.
But slowing an economy and rising food and water prices have forced sellers to pass on the increased prices to customers.
People with less income say they are hard pressed to find animals to buy within their price range.
"This time, the poor are unable to sacrifice. It is very difficult to buy an animal here. We have been roaming around for the last four hours but we could not buy one because they are very expensive," said shopper, Kashan Khan.
Many tents have been set up in the main cattle market to showcase higher priced animals usually purchased by VIP (very important persons) customers. These special animals cost tens of thousands of Pakistani Rupees each.
To deal with the rising costs, some residents are pooling their resources with families and friends to afford the higher prices.
"The people now prefer a collective sacrifice as they share the animal with father, mother and brothers. In past, a person was able to slaughter the whole animal. The prices were Rs.70,000, 80,000, but now the prices have gone up to Rs.1 50,000 or 200,000, how can one afford it," said customer Mohammad Waseem.
Thousands of camels, goats, cows and calves jostle in the market outnumbering the shoppers, animal breeders and traders say.
"The low income people are facing problem in buying cattle due to their limit of price. But the affluent, who used to buy 20 animals, will buy 15 animals now," said livestock trader, Mohammad Rafique.
Rafique said higher wholesale prices and increased costs of raising the animals forces traders to raise market prices.
"The fodder is expensive, the water and the taxes, when we add all these expenses up, we are compelled to sell it on higher prices," he said.
Rising food prices, particularly for sugar and wheat flour, present one of the toughest challenges for Pakistan's civilian government, along with crippling power shortages.
Unemployment and a stagnant living wages are making it increasingly harder for ordinary Pakistanis to survive.
According to some statistics, more than 60 percent of the population lives on less than $2 U.S. dollars a day prompting public anger and frustration aimed at politicians and businessmen.
Eid al-Adha is a muslim holiday marking the climax of the annual pilgrimage (Haj) on the tenth day of the twelfth month of the Muslim calendar.
Haj must be carried out at least once in the lifetime of any Muslim who is able financially and physically to perform the pilgrimage.
According to Islam, Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of the prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son to God.
While Eid-al-Adha, a three-day Muslim festival of sacrifice will start in the countries of South Asia form Monday (November 7), Muslims in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States will celebrate the festival on Sunday (November 6). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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