VEHARI, Jan 12: The faithful have expressed concern over shortage of sacrificial animal in the district.

A group of people who wanted to buy animal for sacrifice told this correspondent that most of the traders who used to bring animals here had gone to big cities like Lahore, Karachi and Faisalabad to 'earn more profit.' Some were exporting animals to Afghanistan and the UAE.

Animal owner Mohammad Ali of Mailsi said more than 90 per cent dealers sell their animals in Lahore and Faisalabad where they would get between Rs8,000 and Rs15,000 for goat. In Vehari, the price of a goat ranged between Rs5,000 and 6,000, he added.

According to him, due to this reason, people here faced problems to purchase sacrificial animals in Vehari and its adjoining area. A group of buyers said they had been visiting local market for the last one week but they could not buy an animal due to shortage.

A shopkeeper said he purchased two goats from Multan for Rs20,000 two days ago. A clerk working with the education department said he could buy or afford a goat with price between the range of Rs3,000 to Rs3,500.

Meanwhile, this correspondent found the local market deserted during a visit the other. A few sellers were seen bargaining with customers. Social and political circles demanded that the district government and other authorities should chalk out an effective strategy to ensure availability of sacrificial animals in the local market.