RAWALPINDI, Feb 8: With Eid-ul-Azha just round the corner, the animal trade centres here have become the hub of activity and various social welfare organisations have geared up their campaigns to collect as many hides as possible.

The trade of sacrificial animals is going on at Khayaban- e-Sir Sayyed, Committee Chowk, Cricket Stadium Road, Liaquat Bagh, Ghazni Road, Pindora, Peer Wadhai, Saidpoor Road, Peshawar Road, Johar Chowk, Dharyal Road, Chungi No 22, Dhok Saeedaan, Sir Sayyed Chawk, Khanna Road, Adyala Road and Dhamyaal Road.

Most of the animals have been supplied from different areas of Punjab including Sahiwal, Multan, Okara, Patoki, Jhang, Sarghoda and Khushab, while a reasonable number of them have also been transported from the rural areas of the NWFP like Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshahra and Sawabi.

The rate of a sheep or a goat ranges from Rs10,000 to Rs18,000, while the rate of a cow or a bull ranges from Rs12,000 Rs25,000.

Majority of the people, who in the past sacrificed sheep and goats have now switched over to group Qurbani, sharing the cost of a cow or a bull owing to an exorbitant rise in the rates of sheep and goats. However, buffaloes, which are considered best for group Qurbani for reasonable rate and good weight, are seldom sacrificed in Punjab, but these are much in demand in the NWFP.

Many of the buyers could be seen complaining about the exorbitant prices of the sacrificial animals, but they are soon made speechless when the owners of the animals start narrating their own ordeals.

The children and the youngsters could also be seen arguing with their parents and elders to buy an animal of their choice. They could also be seen having evening walks, while holding the ropes of the sacrificial animals, which are often decorated.

On the other hand, numerous NGOs working in the social sectors, religious groups, orphanages and Madaris have launched campaigns to collect maximum hides.

Apart from some well-known names like Edhi Welfare Trust, Shaukat Khanam Memorial Hospital, Ibrar-ul-Haq’s TB hospital and Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam, a large number of local organisations and groups besides Madaris are also in the field.

This has created an election campaign-like environment in the city with each group and organisation trying to influence as many people as possible.