Unauthorised cattle markets

As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, the perennial chaos of illegal cattle markets is once again playing out across not only Karachi but cities and towns throughout the country. Despite repeated assurances from local administrations to restrict animal sales to designated sites, little has been done to clamp down on these illegal markets.

The consequences are immediate and far-reaching. Roads that are already under strain become virtually impassable. Pedestrians are forced onto dangerous detours. Stagnant water, animal waste and lack of veterinary oversight contribute to alarming hygiene conditions. With thousands of animals transported from across the country, the risk of disease transmission, including zoonotic infections, increases significantly - putting both livestock and human populations in danger. Year after year, administrations announce plans for designated markets, issue press releases, and sometimes even identify "no-cattle zones". Yet enforcement remains sporadic and selective. Illegal markets are allowed to flourish, often because of the profits they generate and the influence of those behind them. This nationwide problem demands a nationwide response. Authorities must move beyond lip service and engage in sustained, coordinated crackdowns on illegal markets. This includes removing encroachments, levying fines and holding officials accountable for negligence. Equally important is the need to improve legal cattle markets, ensuring they are well-managed and accessible to traders from various regions. Citizens, too, have a role to play. Buying animals from illegal setups may seem convenient, but it fuels the very cycle that turns our urban spaces into unregulated livestock yards every year.

Eid-ul-Azha is a time of spiritual reflection and sacrifice. But it should not come at the cost of our cities' health and safety. It is high time the state reasserted its writ, doing away with illegal cattle markets.