Pakistan, June 7 -- This Eid ul Adha, as rows of worshippers filled open-air Eidgahs and sacrificial animals stood tethered in sun-drenched courtyards, Pakistan once again performed its most sacred ritual of obedience. And yet, the knife cuts both ways.

At its origin, Eid is the memory of a man who was prepared to return everything to the One who gave it. Of Prophet Ibrahim's unflinching submission. Of his son's quiet willingness. And therein lies the paradox of how we live it now.

In 2025, the act of Qurbani (symbolic by design) has become economic in practice. Nearly seven million animals are expected to be sacrificed this year, fuelling a livestock economy worth over Rs800 billion. But the rising cost of participation is visible on e...