Hides collection: Code of conduct

The interior ministry issued the following code of conduct for the collection of hides of sacrificial animals.

1.   Hides/skin collection organisations should have certificate from DCO or DPO for the purpose.

2.   Proscribed organisations in any circumstances are not allowed to collect the skins … proscribed organisations under ATA are not allowed to carry any public activity including collection of the skins. These banned organisations will not be allowed to collect skins/donations under any other name either.

3.   Home Secretaries to arrange special random video monitoring of collection of skins to ensure that elements of proscribed organisations are not involved in this activity.

4.   No loud speaker shall be allowed to announce request for the collection of skins and hides.

5.   Nobody will coerce/harass anybody in collection of skins.

6.   Fool proof security situation at all Eidgahs and Eid prayers gatherings in open areas and mosques to ensure safety of people.

7.   FC Balochistan and KPK to enhance surveillance at western borders to guard against miscreants.

8.   Charity organisations interested in undertaking collection of hides/skins shall apply to district administration concerned and obtain permission for such collection in specific areas and locations where public shall handover such skins voluntarily.

9.   Such organisations/parties/NGOs engaged in collection of skins shall attest in writing that they do not belong to any banned/proscribed organisation.

10. Section 144 CrPc shall be imposed in all districts to avoid occurrence of clashes over collection of skins.

11. Nobody is allowed to coerce or force any one to hand over the sacrificial skins and anybody seen in act of coercing and harassment shall be punished under relevant section of ATA 1997.

12. Law enforcement agencies like police and Rangers shall have the right to arrest culprits of the offence mentioned above and special powers shall be given to LEAs for the same.

13. Business community purchasing hides/skins shall ensure that they buy them from those who have lawful permission for collection of hides.

14. Intelligence Bureau has been instructed to provide data of those persons/organisations, to provincial authorities, who are habitual in use of coercive methods in collection of skins.

15. Provincial governments shall assign special duties to police, Rangers (on request) and revenue officials who shall be given special powers in the discharge of their duties.

16. Elements of proscribed organisations normally involve themselves in collection of hides to raise funds for their ulterior motives. Special care should be taken to stop such elements for their illegal activities before, during and few days after Eid.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2012.