CM Maryam launches 'online portal' for purchase of sacrificial animals in Punjab

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government has launched the first-ever online portal to facilitate cattle buyers who want to purchase sacrificial animals for Eidul Adha, Radio Pakistan reported on Monday.

According to the publication, the initiative will streamline the process of buying sacrificial animals with the growing trend of "modern technology".

The portal will help buyers purchase animals of their choice from their homes with pictures, age, weight, species, breed, price and other relevant information.

"Officials from the Punjab Cattle Market Management have ensured that the portal is secure for transactions, requiring ID card numbers from both buyers and sellers," Radio Pakistan said.

On the other hand, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is mulling introducing a QR code payment mechanism at cattle markets countrywide in order to reduce cash transactions and keep a record of business worth Rs550-600 billion during the holy festival.

"The initiative is being taken to help people and merchants to securely make payments, besides helping banks to potentially tap over Rs550-600 billion cattle purchases through digital banking in the annual religious festival," SBP said.

The central bank is in a talk with 25 banks to enable the digital payment mechanism at 50 cattle markets across the country.

The QR code payments mechanism will be launched in all 15 major cities of Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Hyderabad.

The crescent of Zil Hajj is likely to be sighted on June 8 in Pakistan, according to weather experts.

The day of Eid-ul-Adha is expected to fall on June 17 in the country.