The Eid economy of a whooping Rs90 billion (estimated) offers a variety of opportunities with the market rewarding graciously the enterprising ones in Pakistan only. The informal cross border trade of cattle, especially cows is said to be rampant in border areas of Sindh.
The economy of Eid-ul-Azha, an Islamic festival, commemorating the sacrifice of prophet Ibrahim, seems to be the most dynamic of all other celebrations in generating business and temporary employment. The quantum of economy estimated at around Rs90 billion, is stated to be at least 20 per cent bigger than that of Eid-ul-Fitr. This is despite the fact that the total number of people who shop are less as compared to Eid-ul-Fitr.
The estimate (beside other random estimates) is based on the study of Dr Syed Waqar Hussain of the Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, titled ‘Poverty alleviation: the redistribution impact of the practice of animal sacrifice on rural economy’. According to the study “.the total number of animals slaughtered in 2007-08 Eid-ul-Azha was 5.5 million heads. The total value of these animals at the prevalent market price amounted to Rs80 billion”.
On Eid-ul-Fitr, the key beneficiary of spurt in spending are urban traders and producers of consumer items. On Eid-ulAzha, however, it is the rural Pakistan that raises sacrificial animals and receives the major chunk of the spending.
As expected Karachi attracted most cattle traders not only from rural Sindh but beyond as the city’s middle and upper classes have always been on the forefront as buyers. Lahore is said to be next in line where 230,000 animals were sold last year. According to an estimate, Karachi and Lahore share between them about 50 per cent of the total cattle sales.
Next to cattle traders, probably butchers make most during three days of Eid. They overcharge but there is no dearth of clients desperate to fulfil the obligation of sacrifice. The high demand encourages several novices to enter the field. There are several other Eid specific businesses that sprung up during these days. Transporters have already been mentioned. Trucks and other smaller pick-ups work round the clock. There are caretakers of animals bought by people who are either incapable or not inclined to handle cattle by themselves.
Hide collectors, animal feed sellers, animal doctors and makeshift stalls of other paraphernalia have sprung up all over the country employing people in thousands. Normally sale of freezers rise before the Eid as many people store the meat for consumption.
The economy of Eid-ul-Azha, an Islamic festival, commemorating the sacrifice of prophet Ibrahim, seems to be the most dynamic of all other celebrations in generating business and temporary employment. The quantum of economy estimated at around Rs90 billion, is stated to be at least 20 per cent bigger than that of Eid-ul-Fitr. This is despite the fact that the total number of people who shop are less as compared to Eid-ul-Fitr.
The estimate (beside other random estimates) is based on the study of Dr Syed Waqar Hussain of the Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, titled ‘Poverty alleviation: the redistribution impact of the practice of animal sacrifice on rural economy’. According to the study “.the total number of animals slaughtered in 2007-08 Eid-ul-Azha was 5.5 million heads. The total value of these animals at the prevalent market price amounted to Rs80 billion”.
On Eid-ul-Fitr, the key beneficiary of spurt in spending are urban traders and producers of consumer items. On Eid-ulAzha, however, it is the rural Pakistan that raises sacrificial animals and receives the major chunk of the spending.
As expected Karachi attracted most cattle traders not only from rural Sindh but beyond as the city’s middle and upper classes have always been on the forefront as buyers. Lahore is said to be next in line where 230,000 animals were sold last year. According to an estimate, Karachi and Lahore share between them about 50 per cent of the total cattle sales.
Next to cattle traders, probably butchers make most during three days of Eid. They overcharge but there is no dearth of clients desperate to fulfil the obligation of sacrifice. The high demand encourages several novices to enter the field. There are several other Eid specific businesses that sprung up during these days. Transporters have already been mentioned. Trucks and other smaller pick-ups work round the clock. There are caretakers of animals bought by people who are either incapable or not inclined to handle cattle by themselves.
Hide collectors, animal feed sellers, animal doctors and makeshift stalls of other paraphernalia have sprung up all over the country employing people in thousands. Normally sale of freezers rise before the Eid as many people store the meat for consumption.
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