Web Desk: Demand for professional butchers has surged in Rawalpindi and Islamabad ahead of Eidul Azha, with bookings for the first day of Eid already closed in several localities due to heavy advance reservations.
Market sources said residents rushed to secure butchers for the ritual slaughtering and meat preparation of sacrificial animals, pushing demand well above routine capacity in the twin cities.
Meanwhile, butchers have finalized rates for slaughtering services, with charges varying according to the day of Eid and the type of animal.
For the first day of Eid, butchers are charging around Rs. 25,000 for large animals such as cattle, while rates for goats and sheep stand at about Rs. 12,000.
On the second day, prices drop slightly to Rs. 23,000 for large animals and Rs. 10,000 for smaller animals.
By the third day, rates fall further to Rs. 20,000 for cattle and Rs. 9,000 for goats and sheep.
However, consumers say the rising costs have made advance booking essential, particularly for large families and group sacrifices.
Meanwhile, professional butchers from rural Rawalpindi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hazara, Haripur, Abbottabad and Azad Kashmir have arrived in the twin cities to meet seasonal demand.
They have brought specialized slaughtering tools and equipment as they prepare for intensive workloads over the three days of Eid.
In addition, several butcher shops in urban markets have temporarily suspended routine services and are expected to reopen in early July after Eid-related operations conclude.
As Eidul Azha approaches, livestock markets and allied services in the twin cities have witnessed increased commercial activity, reflecting the seasonal spike in demand for religious slaughtering services.
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