Eid preparations: Cattle markets spring up across the city

Section 144 already imposed by Peshawar DC.

PESHAWAR:

The district administration and law-enforcement agencies have turned a blind eye to unauthorised cattle markets which have been mushrooming across the city despite a ban imposed by the deputy commissioner (DC).

Officially two sites have been allotted for cattle markets; a plot at the site of Benazir Shaheed Hospital on Ring Road and Kala Mandi at Tarnab Farm. However, at least 10 illegal cattle mandis have been set up across the city, including those at Kohati Gate, Motorway Interchange, Saddar, Charsadda Road, GT Road, Gunj Gate, Cha Kala and Yakatoot Gate areas.

“This is a failure of the police department as it is unable to enforce the order of the DC,” said the district administration’s PRO Firoz Shah. He told The Express Tribune that DC Zahirul Islam issued a notification last week and imposed Section 144 on illegal cattle markets for a month.

Shah said it was the police’s responsibility to implement the notification and take action against violators.

However, buyers are not complaining about the illegal markets as they say they have to pay less at these mandis.

“The rates in mini-markets are flexible as compared to authorised markets and we can save on transporting the animal,” said a buyer, Muhammad Naeem.

Price hike

Cattle dealers blame the recent floods and livestock smuggling for soaring prices. Currently, the price of goats and sheep hovers between Rs40,000 to Rs60,000 while cows, buffaloes and camels cost around Rs100,000 to Rs130,000.

“The price hike is a result of the floods in Punjab,” dealer Shujat Ali told The Express Tribune. He added the calamity has affected the supply of sacrificial animals from Sahiwal, Sialkot and other areas of Punjab.

Lack of facilities

Another trader, Shahtamas Khan, blamed the provincial government for failing to curtail the smuggling of cattle to Afghanistan. “Prices can be controlled if the government takes serious action against smugglers,” Khan said. He alleged unauthorised contractors are taking Rs1,000 from every cattle dealer in the name of tax and there is no one to stop them.

“There is no arrangement for drinking water and toilets in the makeshift markets,” he said, adding dealers have to stay in the market for weeks and are encountering problems in the absence of basic facilities.

Hafizur Rehman, a resident of Gunj Gate, complained of pollution and disturbance caused by the illegal market in the vicinity.

No legislation

Meanwhile, Peshawar DC Zahirul Islam said several cattle dealers have been arrested and fined for breaching regulations, however, the lack of proper legislation makes it difficult to take strict action. He complained the police do not cooperate with the district administration.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2014.