Beefing it up: Sohrab Goth’s cattle market opens for business

Special security arrangements have been made to avoid incidents of vehicle theft.

KARACHI: “Thousands of Karachiites will come here next month, not only for entertainment but also to fulfill their religious obligations on Eidul Azha,” said city commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui as he inaugurated the Sohrab Goth cattle market on Saturday.

“We are inaugurating one of the country’s largest cattle markets on Defence Day, a day which the nation is already celebrating with great enthusiasm,” said Siddiqui.



He announced that the merchants would be exempted from paying taxes on their animals and that the entry of these animals into the city through the National Highway and Super Highway would not be charged. Hoping that the arrangements made by Cantonment Board Malir (CBM) would facilitate the customers, he said that he had requested the police and Rangers to make special arrangements for the patrolling of the area.

“The imposition of Section 144 will strengthen peace in the area, allowing people to visit the market without fear of untoward incidents,” Siddiqui claimed. He added that a team of veterinary doctors and paramedics had also been designated for regular check-ups of the animals.

CBM chief executive officer Muhammad Farooque said that the cattle market had been set up with 21 blocks across 650 acres. He added that they had made strict arrangements to eliminate the chance of disease, such as ensuring that the animal underwent vaccination before being allowed entry.

“The market has four VIP blocks, and two separate blocks have been set up nearby for goats and camels,” said Farooque. “Apart from the VIP blocks and some roadside plots, we are giving the merchants space for no additional fees on a first come first served basis.”

Market administrator Rana Imran said that free public toilets had been set up for men and women at eight different places within the market. He added that all non-commercial vehicles would be able to avail free parking. He went on to say that keeping in mind the vehicle theft which had been common at the market in previous years, extensive security arrangements had been made, with a private security firm handling the internal security while special squads of police and Rangers patrolled outside.



“It will be quite a fun spectacle this year,” he said. “We will have more than 1,000 searchlights turning night into day and we have also made arrangements to hold beauty contests for the animals.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2014.