KARACHI: A crowd gathers in front of the four-story residence of Ajaz Hasan in Karachi’s Nazimabad neighborhood. Above them a crane lowers its cargo from the rooftop: a live bull.
For the past decade, Hasan has used the space afforded by his building’s rooftop to raise bulls that will be slaughtered and eaten during Eid celebrations. But Sunday was a particularly special occasion as the bulls sported the national flag on their horns in honor of Pakistan’s Independence Day, which falls on Tuesday.
As the crane arrives, residents pour out onto the street or dash to their windows to watch this unusual but interesting exercise.
“I would always purchase a baby bull and raise it to sacrifice on Eid Al-Adha,” Hasan told Arab News. “But there is no longer enough space at street level to keep bulls, so, 10 years ago, I had the idea of using the rooftop instead.
“That first time I raised a bull on the roof, I realized I’d need a crane to get it down, and that attracted a lot of attention,” he continued.
This year, Hasan raised seven bulls for sacrifice at Eid-al-Adha. “We don’t just feed them grass, like most cattle,” he added, explaining that his bulls are “special” and receive “special feed.”
Raised on the roof: Karachi’s sacrificial bulls
Raised on the roof: Karachi’s sacrificial bulls
- People in Karachi use rooftops of the building as an affordable place to raise bulls as sacrificial animals for Eid al Adha celebrations
- People in Karachi use rooftops of the building as an affordable place to raise bulls as sacrificial animals for Eid al Adha celebrations
Pakistan leaders wish Saudi King Salman well after hospital admission for tests
- Pakistani PM and President express concern, pray for the King's swift recovery
- The official Saudi media has not shared the nature of the King’s visit to the hospital
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s prime minister and president on Friday expressed concern over the health of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, offering prayers and well wishes after state media said he had been admitted to hospital in Riyadh for medical examinations.
The Saudi Press Agency reported the King was undergoing medical tests at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, with no further information regarding the nature of the visit or his medical condition.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistanis held the Saudi King in high regard and were praying for his recovery.
“Deeply concerned by the news that Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is admitted in hospital for medical tests,” he said. “The people of Pakistan hold His Majesty in the highest esteem. We join our Saudi brothers and sisters in praying for His Majesty’s swift and complete recovery.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed his wishes, saying the entire Pakistani nation was praying for the Saudi King’s health and well-being, according to a statement issued by the presidency.
Pakistan has longstanding diplomatic and institutional ties with Saudi Arabia, and its leadership has consistently expressed deep respect for the Saudi royal family, particularly in view of the Kingdom’s religious significance and its role in the Muslim world.
