Skyrocketing prices of sacrificial animals force people to opt for collective-sacrifice (Ijtamai Qurbani) which becomes more popular particularly in this era of financial constraint due to high prices and slaughtering animals in memory of Hazrat Ismail's sacrifice as religious duty is hard to perform now.

With Eid-ul-Azha approaching fast, the numbers of sacrificial animals are increasing in the temporary cattle-markets and the prices of sacrificing animals have almost multiplied by 100 percent as compared to last year.

Vendors claim that the price hike is the result of the rising inflation, increased transportation expenses and other associated liabilities.

"Few years back, I used to sacrifice a goat regularly on every Eid-ul-Azha but this year it was out of my reach as the rates of goats were very high and a person belonging to middle class could not afford it," said Adeel Mirza a retired government servant.

Another resident said that buying a sacrificial animal was a dream now and the trend of collective-sacrifice (Ijtamai Qurbani) increased after the prices of animals high enough in comparison to last few years.

Sacrificial animals have started arriving in the city and are being herded in the streets to attract the customers.

According to a survey, the prices of bulls in the market have increased from 25,000 to Rs 40,000 per animal as compared to last year while the price of 'A' category bull has increased from Rs 75,000 to Rs 100,000 and onwards and the price of 'B' category bull has increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 and prices of 'C' category has surged from Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000.

The prices of goats and sheep have also increased up to 25 percent.

The price of 'A' category goat/sheep has surged from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.

The price of 'B' category has increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 and 'C' category to Rs 5,000 and above.

But despite the increased prices of sacrificial animals, the demand of the animals is expected to get momentum a few days ahead of Eid-ul Azha.

The city district government has allotted ten spaces for establishment of sacrificial animals 'Mandis' for Eid-ul-Azha, which are mainly in outer parts of the city.

"Mandis" in Potohar Town has been established at Channi, Rawat, Chakri Road and Adiala Road near Gorakhpur.