Animals’ prices up due to insecurity: Pakita residents

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): The prices of sacrificial animals have increased this year compared to the previous year in southeastern Paktia province due to insecurity, livestock sellers and buyers say.

Niamatullah, an animal seller in Gardez, told Pajhwok that due to insecurity on the highways, they could not easily move their animals from one place to another.

“There is risk of losing animals to landmines, there are irresponsible gunmen and thieves, that’s why it is a very difficult task,” he added.

Mohammad Yousuf, another owner of livestock, told Pajhwok the price of livestock had risen due to insecurity and smuggling of cattle.

According to him, the price of a cow, which was 50,000 afghanis last year, has now risen to 70,000 afghanis and the price of a sheep, which was 10,000 afghanis last year had increased to 15,000 afghanis.

Rohullah Ahmadi, a resident of Gardez, is concerned about the shortage of livestock and said cattle smuggling to other countries must be stopped.

A number of other people also urged stoppage of the livestock smuggling.

MohammaduddinMomand, agriculture and livestock director, said serious efforts were being made to curb animal smuggling to other countries.

sa/ma