LAHORE, Feb 19: Sale of sacrificial animals had not picked up till Tuesday due to exorbitant prices demanded by traders despite the arrival of 200,000 animals against an expected half a million.

Most of the traders were not ready to part with a goat weighing upto 40 kg for less than Rs6,000. They were demanding Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 for healthier goats. Sheep and “dumbas” were available for Rs5,000 or more. Cows, camels and bulls were not being offered below Rs10,000. The meat available from an animal does not exceed 50 per cent of its weight.

District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood visited the Bund Road animal market and advised the traders to sell their animals only at the spots specified for the purpose.

He said that no tax had been imposed on the animals except the entry fee of Rs90 for cows, bulls and camels and Rs20 for goats and sheep. Veterinary doctors were available at all the specified spots for providing free treatment to sick animals.

Animals were available in large numbers not only at the Bakkar Mandi on Bund Road but also at the 20 temporary animal markets set up by the District City Government near Shahdara Railway Station, Old Ravi Bridge, Shadbagh Gol Ground, Daroghawala, Sukh Nehr, Bund Road, Pakistan Mint open space, Pulli Deendara Salamatpura, Wahdat Road, Chowk Yateem Khana, Sikandria Colony, Gulberg Mini Market Ground, Iqbal Town Scheme Morr and Sabzi Mandi, Green Town Sunday Bazaar Ground and Anmol Cinema open space, PECO Road, Chowk Gulistan Colony, Dharampura and Harbanspura Road.

Traders were also seen parading two, four or six animals on roads in the hope of finding the customers but most of them asked them to go away after hearing the fantastic prices demanded by them.