Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two blessed Eid religious holidays for Muslims worldwide. One of the soul rituals involves the sacrifice of an animal, typically a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This symbolizes Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son (Prophet Ismail AS) as an act of obedience to ALLAH’s command. Traditionally, individuals purchase animals from breeders and sellers, often involving cash transactions.

Radio Pakistan reported that the Punjab government has launched an online portal for purchasing sacrificial animals for Eid ul Azha today. The portal provides listings of the available animals including their age, pictures, weight, breed, species, and price. A new 1233 helpline has also been launched in Punjab to provide comprehensive information on cattle purchase, overseen by the Punjab Cattle Market Management and Development Company. This article by the Tashheer research team summarizes the Punjab government’s launch of a helpline (1233) and online portal for convenient sacrificial animal purchases.

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This helpline which is announced by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique offers the convenience of payment on delivery for online purchases. Traditionally, purchasing sacrificial animals can be a time-consuming and challenging task.  The new helpline and online portal address these concerns by offering a user-friendly and transparent platform for residents of Punjab.

Additionally, as per Rafique’s statement, the latest 20 model cattle markets are currently under construction, according to the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Minister Rafique also emphasized that model cattle markets would be established along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route which enhance efficiency and accessibility in the procurement process.

Announcement of the 1233 Helpline

Punjab Information Technology Board has developed a 1233 helpline to support the Punjab Cattle Market Management and Development Company. The helpline will manage complaints from cattle farmers, traders, and the general public doing business in 121 cattle markets across Punjab. A dedicated helpline, 1233, has been established to answer any queries citizens may have and provides a direct channel for residents to receive official information and guidance related to sacrificial animal 

In addition to the 1233 Helpline and online portal option, the Punjab government is also working on developing model cattle markets all across the province. These markets will prioritize hygiene, proper animal care, and fair pricing, which ensures a positive experience for those who prefer a traditional market setting. The Punjab government is also initiating to facilitate citizens by providing online license convenience. Learn more about this initiative through Complete Guide to Apply for a Learner License Online Through DLIMS Punjab

These model cattle markets will have the following features.

No Contractor
No Middlemen
No role of TMA
Open for business 06 days a week
Complaint Redressal System
Data Management
Fully computerized trading transactions
Provision of allied services
E- Tagging of animals
Trading of disease-free animals
No Contractor
No Middlemen
No role of TMA
Open for business 06 days a week
Complaint Redressal System
Data Management
Fully computerized trading transactions
Provision of allied services
E- Tagging of animals
Trading of disease-free animals
  • The Punjab government has also launched its first official online portal, enabling citizens to purchase sacrificial animals from the comfort of their homes.
  • According to a piece of private news, this new project allows local people to buy sacrificial animals online ahead of Eidul Azha, streamlining the process with the growing trend of modern technology.
  • The portal provides detailed listings of sacrificial animals including their pictures, age, weight, species, breed, price, and other relevant information.
  • Officials from the Punjab Cattle Market Management have ensured that this portal is secure for transactions, requiring buyer’s and seller’s ID card numbers.
  • Additionally, the portal allows anyone to sell their animals after registration and will remain active even after Eid.

Security and Accessibility Features of Online Portal may include:

  • Its accessibility Features may include a user-friendly interface, multiple language support, screen reader compatibility, and accessibility guidelines.
  • Transactions will likely utilize a secure payment gateway, ensuring your financial information is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access. Popular options include Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode.
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a code sent to your phone, before completing a purchase.
  • Fraud Detection Systems: This animal purchase portal is equipped with fraud detection systems that monitor transactions for suspicious activity, potentially preventing fraudulent purchases.

These model cattle markets will have the following facilities.

  • Boundary wall and entry gates
  • Drinking water supply for owners and animals
  • Drainage and sewerage system
  • Shelter for animals and owners/traders
  • Fodder troughs and water tanks
  • Veterinary dispensary and facilities
  • Health dispensary/first aid facilities
  • Security
  • Washing area for animals
  • Loading and unloading bays
  • Restaurants
  • Truck and vehicle parking
  • Weighing scale/bridge
  • Slaughtering facilities in case of emergency
  • Prayer area, Rest area for traders with washroom
  • Bank booth/facilities
  • Boundary wall and entry gates
  • Drinking water supply for owners and animals
  • Drainage and sewerage system
  • Shelter for animals and owners/traders
  • Fodder troughs and water tanks
  • Veterinary dispensary and facilities
  • Health dispensary/first aid facilities
  • Security
  • Washing area for animals
  • Loading and unloading bays
  • Restaurants
  • Truck and vehicle parking
  • Weighing scale/bridge
  • Slaughtering facilities in case of emergency
  • Prayer area, Rest area for traders with washroom
  • Bank booth/facilities
Residents can browse and purchase animals from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for physically visiting crowded markets.
The online portal can provide detailed information about each animal, including pictures, breed, age, weight, and price. This allows for informed decision-making and fairer comparisons between sellers.
By eliminating travel and bargaining at traditional markets, this online portal can save residents significant time and effort.
The availability of a delivery service in the portal eliminates the hassle of transporting animals after purchase.

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This report, compiled by Tashheer research team, outlined all the key features of Punjab government’s recently launched helpline (1233) and online portal, specifically designed for sacrificial animal purchases. Additionally, after registering on online portal, one can sell their animals. This portal will remain active even after Eid-ul-Azha. Additonally, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is set to introduce a QR code payment system through its digital platform, Raast, aimed at facilitating the purchase of sacrificial animals during Eid-ul-Azha.

About the Author: Alishba

Alishba Zaheer is the lead content writer at Tashheer Digital and has a genuine passion for storytelling. With her team of skillful content writers, her expertise lies in the ability to seamlessly adapt writing style to various niches, checking new trends in Tech, especially in Pakistan. She stays ahead of the curve and maintains her dedication to writing excellence. Among other things, she has been instrumental in researching local brands, Pakistani products, and services, providing benchmark articles for Pakistani audiences.