Traders concerned at proposed slaughterhouse

ICCI committee urges CDA to drop project 'in public interest'

ISLAMABAD:

The Agro Trade Promotion Committee of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) expressed concerns over the Capital Development Authority (CDA)'s plan to construct a slaughterhouse in Sector I-11/4 of Islamabad in an area of over five acres of land.

The fruit and vegetable businesses need a hygienic environment while the existence of an abattoir near Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market) would create unhygienic conditions and negatively impact the health of fruit and vegetable consumers, they said.

Therefore, they strongly opposed this move and called upon the CDA to cancel this project immediately in the larger interest of the citizens.

Addressing the meeting, ICCI Acting President Faad Waheed said that fruits and vegetable businesses need a neat and clean environment, but the construction of a slaughterhouse in the vicinity of Sabzi Mandi in Islamabad would be against the interest of these businesses as it would create a bad smell in the area and affect the environment.

He said that the concerns of the business community of Sabzi Mandi are genuine and stressed that the CDA should reconsider its plan of constructing an abattoir near the largest fruits and vegetables market of the twin cities and move this facility out of the city to save the businesses and citizens from its unhealthy consequences.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2023.