PESHAWAR, Dec 17: As Eidul Azha draws near, the purchase of sacrificial animals is gaining momentum. During a visit to animal markets in the city, it was observed that people spent more time in haggling over the animals’ prices than in actually buying them. Most people were interested in buying buffaloes, cows or oxen. The people dealing in goats and sheep were waiting for customers.

Goats were being sold at comparatively higher prices than the sheep. A goat of average size and build was priced above Rs5000, while the sheep were available for comparatively reasonable rates.

Three breeds of sheep were available in the market — Bulkhi (Afghani), Hashtnagri (local) and Punjabi — with the Bulkhi ones being cheaper than the other types.

Traders claimed that local rams tasted better. Traders of goats and rams were mostly Afghan nationals.

Despite high prices of larger sacrificial animals, most people preferred to buy cows or buffaloes, mainly because they could share the cost.

Previously, people did not have to pay anything over and above the price of the animals, but in the three markets set up by the town councils, buyers were required to pay Rs430 extra for each cow, ox or buffalo and Rs110 for every goat, sheep or ram. People said the extra money levied by the city councils was unjustified.

They said district nazim Haji Ghulam Ali had announced that no tax would be levied on sacrificial animals, but the promise had not been fulfilled.

However, officials at the tax collection counter said only temporary markets were exempted from the tax. In order to avoid taxes, traders have established smaller markets on plots in various city areas.

Meanwhile, a cow called Mona (of Austrian origin) was sold at Rs300,000 near the Ring Road market while an ox was sold for Rs350,000.—Reporter