The coronavirus pandemic dampened the usual festivities and jovial atmosphere normally associated with Eid-ul-Fitr. It also caused massive economic losses as business remained shuttered and people reduced shopping and outdoor activities.
According to conservative estimates, the country suffered a loss of Rs25-35 billion this. It is usual that preparations commence for Eid-ul-Azha right after Ramzan, but there is now looming uncertainty over the religious festival as well.
Business on Eid-ul-Azha
It is common that cattle markets started propping up across Karachi right after the end of Ramazan. Many villagers start coming gradually from various part of Sindh and Punjab to major town and cities to sell sacrificial animals.
Eid-ul-Azha is an important occasion for them as it provides vital earnings which help them and their families in their native villages for the rest of the year. The loss of revenue either due to the coronavirus pandemic or the reduced spending power of people due to the adverse economic situation will strongly affect them.
There is looming doubts and uncertainty over Eid-ul-Azha due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is also expected that there will be a substantial drop in number of animals sold. Many people would even be deprived of fulfilling the religious obligation.
Eid-ul-Fitr this year
Many people curtailed their shopping on Eid-ul-Fitr as markets remained closed and later has reduced working hours. There was not the usual hustle and bustle as many stayed safety due to fears of contracting the virus and the lack of safety measures.
Traders and businessmen claimed that last year on Eid-ul-Fitr, there was business activity of around Rs35-40 billion while this year it reduced to just Rs10 billion due to a myriad of reasons related to the coronavirus pandemic, continued lockdown, market closure and dire economic situation.
There is a high probability on Eid-ul-Azha that people will be compelled to reduce spending on sacrificial animals. Many people have lost their jobs, reduced incomes and suffered losses in business due to the pandemic and do not have the ability nor the purchasing power to buy expensive animals.
Eid-ul-Azha this year
Eid-ul-Azha is a religious event which honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his own son on the instructions of Almighty Allah. Muslims have been honouring the practice by sacrificing animals on the occasion.
Apart from the religious sanctity, Eid-ul-Azha is also a source of revenue for animal and other allied industries. According to an estimate, there is business worth Rs350-400 billion on Eid-ul-Azha in Pakistan and around four million animals including cows, goats, sheep and camels are sacrificed.
This also sustains leather tanneries due to the provision of animal hide, animal fodder markets, abattoirs, sacrificial equipment such as knives, and animal decorative pieces. It is the busiest day for butchers who are booked for the three days while amateur ones also seek to make a quick buck.
The number of coronavirus cases is rising across Pakistan and the peak has yet to come. The government is contemplating whether to re-impose a lockdown as the situation is worsening and getting out of control.
In case the government decides to tighten lockdown restrictions, it will certainly affect the preparations for Eid-ul-Azha. There is an increased risk of the spread of coronavirus but also the loss of business and reaching an optimal level is improbable as people fail to enforce safety precautions.
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