KHAR: The tribesmen on Saturday complained about increase in the prices of sacrificial animals owing to unchecked transportation of cattle out of Bajaur Agency.

Talking to this correspondent on Saturday, they pointed out that up to 50 per cent increase had been witnessed in rates of cattle compared to the previous year.

Ataullah Khan of Mamond tehsil said he wanted to buy a sacrificial animal between Rs30,000 to Rs35,000, but the prices were too high.

Awal Rahman of Kitkoot said last year he had bought a bull at Rs50,000 but no it was selling from Rs65,000 to Rs75,000 in the local market.

He said the high prices were because animals were being taken out of the agency without any official check.

He said the political administration should intervene to check the prices and cattle transportation out of the agency.

Mukram Khan of Khar told this correspondent that prices of almost all animals had increased by Rs15,000.

Sultan Khan of Salarzai said his budget did not allow him to buy an animal to perform the Islamic ritual on Eidul Azha.

AKhtar Khan, who has been associated with cattle trade for last several years, said he came to the market to buy cattle but was unable to do so because of high rates.

He said prices of sacrificial animals would increase further if the administration did not impose ban on transportation of cattle outside of agency.

The people criticised the local administration for not taking steps to stop cattle transportation outside of Bajaur.

Meanwhile, an official of the political administration admitted transportation of animals to other districts.

He said ban on transportation of cattle was slapped every year ahead of Eidul Azha, but this year no such step was taken.

However, the official said the administration was likely to impose ban on transportation of animals outside of agency to keep a check on increasing prices.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2017