Preparation for Eid: No hide collection without DCO’s stamp

Violators to be booked under terrorism laws.

KARACHI: In an attempt to prevent violence from breaking out over the money-making business of collecting sacrificial hides this Eid, the government has decided no one will be able to do it without the district coordination officer’s permission. Anyone found violating this rule will be booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

This was decided at Chief Minister House between CM Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik.

No group or organisation will be allowed to obtain or purchase the hides without the DCO’s permission and specific areas will be designated for this exchange. There will be a ban on carrying weapons during the three days of Eid. Anyone involved in the collection of hides will have to keep a record of how many they receive.

The two top officials also discussed awards and special prizes for police who perform well.

The government is also working on existing housing schemes for low paid police officials.

The Cooperative Housing Society for Police officials will be launched soon.

IG Mushtaq Shah gave the meeting a briefing on the changes they were making to ensure violence does not flare up. Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan also pitched in with details on the law and order situation. He said that 10 target killers have been apprehended.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2011.