LAHORE, Feb 22: Sale of sacrificial animals peaked on Friday night following a significant reduction in prices during the day.

Goats remained the buyers’ favourite, fetching higher prices that the sheep despite being available in large numbers. A goat weighing around 40 kilograms was offered for no less than Rs7,000 earlier, was available for Rs5,000 during the day and Rs4,000 in the evening. A sheep of the same weight could be bought for Rs4,000 during the day and Rs3,000 in the evening. Cows were available for Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 each.

The traders were forced to cut down the asking prices after a majority of potential buyers refused to pay the higher rates. With only a day and a night left for disposal of the animals and the possibility of a huge financial loss resulting from having to sell the left over animals to the butchers at throwaway prices, they were left with no other option.

A great rush of people was seen at the temporary markets of sacrificial animals set up by the city government. Most of the animals were sold at the 20 temporary markets at Shahdara, Bund Road, Shadbagh-Wassanpura, GT Road, Pakistan Mint, Salamatpura, Chowk Yateem Khana, Sikandaria Colony, Gulberg’s Mini Market, Allama Iqbal Town’s Scheme Mor, the vegetable market on Multan Road, Wahdat Road, Faisal Town, Green Town, Tow-nship, Peco Road, Dharampura and Harbanspura. Some traders having only a few animals to sell paraded them in other areas as well.

Temorary fodder shops had also been set up, not only around the animal markets, but all over the city. Veterinary doctors of city government’s Food Security Department had set up camps at the animals markets to provide free service.

Nearly 400,000 sacrificial animals were brought to the provincial metropolis this year. More than 300,000 of these were goats.