GILGIT, Nov 15: Prices of sacrificial animals in Gilgit-Baltistan surged on Monday just two days ahead of Eidul Azha, with many speculating about 70 per cent of the GB population settled in mountainous region would not be able to afford sacrifice. During a visit to animal markets it was noted that buyers would return empty-handed after indulging in lengthy arguments with animal sellers.

People are facing problems in buying sacrificial animals as there was no culture of shared sacrifice of animals in the Gilgit- Baltistan.

A number of animal markets have sprung up in the town that has also been adding to pollution as the municipal committee workers have turned a blind eye to the state of bad sanitary condition.

As Eid draws nearer the prices of sacrificial animals have tripled in the markets.

“I brought 390 goats from Wakhan, close to Afghanistan, via Ashkoman valley but this year things are different as I could hardly sell 70 goats till now” said Hashmatullah, a trader from Ghizer district.

He said that a large herds of cattle were smuggled to Afghanistan and scores of others perished in floods, which caused the subsequent hike in prices of sacrificial animals.

Adeel Khan, 70, a buyer from the city complained of high prices of animals.

He criticized the administration for not keeping a check on prices of sacrificial animals.

It was noted that prices of a goat weighing 20-22 kilogram ranged from Rs16,000 to Rs18,000 while a sheep of the same weight was selling at Rs13,000-16,000, keeping poor people of this livestock-rich at bay.