Capital to have five cattle markets for Eidul Azha

Listen to article

ISLAMABAD:

As Eidul Azha approaches, the district administration of Islamabad has decided that the unauthorised animal selling points will be shut down, and five official cattle markets will be established in different areas under clear rules.

The Islamabad administration has also launched a plan to manage cattle trade in the city. Meanwhile, the district administration has started cracking down on illegal animal sale points set up at various locations, said the ICT spokesperson.

In this regard, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner, Irfan Nawaz Memon, said that five official cattle markets will be established in different areas of the capital. These include Sangjhani, Sector I-15, Bharakahu, Lehtrar Road, and Islamabad Expressway.

According to the deputy commissioner, tender notices for setting up these markets have already been issued. He said that the official markets will be opened from the 1st to the 13th of Zilhajj. No buying or selling of animals will be allowed before this period. Any cattle market outside the selected locations will be considered illegal.

Furthermore, teams have been formed to monitor illegal animal trading points. Action has already begun against unapproved sale stalls in different parts of the city. Officials said such setups often lead to sanitation problems, causing difficulty for residents. The official cattle markets will be equipped with basic facilities like water, electricity, and proper entry and exit points. Health teams will also be deployed to check the animals.

According to the deputy commissioner, the goal is to provide a controlled and safe environment for both sellers and buyers. The city's administration has also reached out to relevant departments, including the Metropolitan Corporation, police, and health services, to coordinate the arrangements. All stakeholders have been asked to work together to ensure the smooth running of these markets.

Meanwhile, the district administration urged the public to report any illegal cattle markets in their areas. A dedicated helpline and monitoring team will be available to address complaints. The administration has also requested citizens to avoid purchasing animals from unauthorised locations to support the organised setup.

In previous years, random animal sale points had caused several problems in urban areas, including piles of garbage, animal waste, and noise complaints. This year, the administration is aiming to avoid such situations by strictly controlling the sale process.