GUJRANWALA City News

Finding skilled butcher difficult task

From Azam Butt

GUJRANWALA: Purchasing a sacrificial animal despite the price hike is an achievement, but finding a skilled butcher on the first two days of Eidul Azha is a difficult task.

Unchecked and exorbitant slaughter rates by trained and untrained butchers are yet another bane of buyers. Last year, local butchers charged Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 for slaughtering sheep/goat. However, this year, butchers are demanding Rs 4,000 to Rs 7,000 for the same animal. Similarly, butchers charged Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 for slaughtering a cow or a bull. This year, butchers are demanding Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 for the same animals. The charges of slaughtering a camel are Rs 20,000 to Rs 22,000. The butchers are of the view that inflation has compelled us to revise the rates. On the other hand, the sale of knives and axes has reached its peak. Wazirabad is famous for its cutlery industry and in these days everyone, who is linked with the business, is busy earning day and night. The shopkeepers have almost doubled the prices of knives, but still the people are buying them. The blacksmiths have also increased rates for sharpening knives, axes and cleavers.

Meanwhile, despite alarming threat of Congo virus across the country in the recent months, the district administration established cattle markets outside the city but allegedly did not take measures for inspection of animals.

A number of traders said that their animals had not been vaccinated so far. They claimed that there was no restriction by the market administration to get their animals examined by veterinary officer. Many traders complained about shortage of food and water in the markets. They also complained about poor cleanliness in the animal markets.

When contacted, the cattle market official said that the veterinary care was being provided to the animals by the Livestock Department. He further said that the animals were inspected at the time of their unloading at the cattle market.

 

Eidul Azha to be celebrated today

From Our Correspondent

GUJRANWALA: Like other parts of the country, the Eidul Azha will be celebrated across the district today.

The day will be dawned with special prayers for prosperity and progress of the country in all Eid congregations, mosques and open places in the district. Ulema and religious leaders would highlight importance of the day. Thousands of animals would be slaughtered in the district.

 

Cop injured in police encounter

From Our Correspondent

GUJRANWALA: A police constable was injured during a police encounter at Gurunanakpura on Monday.

On a tip-off, a Baghbanpura police party raided to arrest PO Irfan alias Dani. On seeing the police, the accused opened fire at the police. As a result, constable Mukhtar was injured and shifted to a hospital. However, the accused PO succeeded to flee.