ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has decided to arrange Eid congregation in front of the Parliament House and also slaughter sacrificial animals at the site.

Besides, the party will also arrange a festival in the evening on the first day of Eid.

Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)also plans to slaughter animals on Constitution Avenue but the party has yet to decide whether it will end the sit-in before Eid or continue with it.

Local representatives of both parties contacted butchers on Tuesday to make arrangements for carrying out the ritual on Constitution Avenue.

“Some leaders of PAT, PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Q contacted butchers and wanted more than 100 of them to slaughter sacrificial animals, but they informed them that they would be busy in their respective localities,” said an office-bearer of All Pakistan Jamiatul Quraish Meat Welfare Organisation.

He said the parties’ leaders were advised to contact the association if they wanted butchers in large number.

Will slaughter sacrificial animals on Constitution Avenue

The office-bearer said they accepted the proposal and contacted the association.

“Some butchers don’t want to spoil their Eid as they feared that if they went to the Red Zone for slaughtering animals, the police would arrest them,” he said.

When contacted, All Pakistan Jamiatul Quraish Meat Welfare Organisation Chairman Khurshid Ahmed Qureshi admitted that some people from PAT, PTI and PML-Q contacted butchers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for slaughtering animals at the sit-in venue.

He said the parties’ representatives had been invited to discuss the issue as there were some reservations of the butchers. Most of them wanted to slaughter animals in their localities, he added.

PTI Punjab North President Sadaqat Abbasi told Dawn that his party would celebrate Eid in Red Zone in front of the Parliament.

“PTI Chairman Imran Khan will offer Eid prayers at Parade Lane and will meet each family in the evening that joins the sit-in on Eidul Azha,” he said.

“We will also offer our religious ritual and slaughter sacrificial animals after Eid prayers. Eid festival will also be arranged for the participants,” he said.

On the other hand, PAT local leader Suhail Abbasi told Dawn that his party would slaughter sacrificial animals at the spot if Dr Tahirul Qadri asked participants to stay at the Red Zone on Eidul Azha.

“Dr Tahirul Qadri is seeking the opinion of party leaders and participants on continuing the sit-in on Eidul Azha. A decision will be taken within two days,” he said.

“PAT and Minhajul Quran are making arrangements for slaughtering animals. Many overseas Pakistanis have also provided money to slaughter animals on their behalf,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 1st , 2014