SWABI: Cattle traders have started bringing sacrificial animals from Punjab and Sindh provinces to the local markets to meet the need of people here on Eidul Azha.

During a visit of the cattle markets by this correspondent and interaction with the businessmen here, it was revealed that about 80 per cent of the animals were being brought to the district from Punjab and Sindh.

They said that people usually started buying sacrificial animals just a few days ahead of the Eid.

Cattle traders Mohammad Sardar and Shazullah, who both belong to Maneri village, said that they had completed two trips of Punjab and the third and last one was expected about four days ahead of Eid to bring more animals from Sahiwal. “We remain in constant contact with the cattle traders in Punjab,” said Mr Sardar.

In reply to a question, they said that at present only farmers had bought sacrificial animals of their choice while the people who had no setup to keep animals were expected to buy cattle one or two days before Eid.

Wahid Zaman of Pirtab village said that they as a group of seven people had bought a buffalo at Rs80,000 for collective sacrifice.

However, people in general have started visiting the cattle markets to have an idea of the prices of different animals.

Majority of people are showing interest in buying big animals like buffalo and cows, while very few people were seen taking interest in small animals because of their high prices.

They said that the cost of transportation, fodder, etc had been increased manifold, which had contributed to the hike in prices of the animals.

HEAVY RAIN: Rainwater entered several houses and caused traffic suspension in Topi city here the other day.

The torrential rain lashed the district in the morning and in Topi tehsil the water inundated the road of main bazaar, causing difficulties for the motorists and pedestrians.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2017