Moving freely in the city
Administrations unable to impose a ban restricting the free movement of sacrificial animals.
RAWALPINDI:
Administrations of the twin cities are unable to restrict the movement of shepherds who are setting up sale points on green belts and other unauthorised spots.
While taking a round of the twin cities, The Express Tribune found many shepherds selling animals inside the city. Tehsil Municipal Administrator (TMA) Rawal Town Talat Mehmood said the administration was conducting an operation against all such vendors who were selling animals at restricted areas. “Eight points have been set up in the city and 23 officers are deputed to monitor them,” he added.
“Since Sunday we have collected more than Rs60,000 in fines from these vendors for violating the law,”Mehmood said. He further said shortage of staff was the major challenge behind a strict check and balance over the movement of such vendors. “At night there are no officials to monitor the movement of animal vendors in the city, which is why majority of them take full advantage of this opportunity,” he said.
He further said that they have fined vendors selling animals inside houses located in the heart of the city.
Mansoor Ahmed Khan, Director Directorate Municipal Administration of CDA, said many animal vendors tried to enter the capital but were sent back to the sacrificial market.
“We are not imposing any fine on them but just giving them warnings. Imposing fines could be counterproductive, and might result into higher prices of animals,” he added.
He said the administration was trying to keep a strict check at the entry and exit points of the capital.
On the other hand, shepherds such as Mohammad Raman were openly defying the restrictions imposed by the authorities. “I have brought sacrificial animals from Kabul and just off loaded them from the truck,” he said, having set up his stall at a road side in sector I-11. He showed complete unawareness about government’s restriction over keeping animals at designated points.
He added that no one from the security staff deputed at the entry and exit points of the twin cities stopped him or briefed him about the arrangements. “I will sell the animals here at the road side,” he said.
Hameedullah another shepherd was found selling camels at a green belt in sector I-11.
“Like every Eid, I will sell my animals by the road side as it is more convenient for the buyers to get them from here instead of getting inside the crowded markets,” he added.
A vendor was also found selling animals in the main Aabpara Market. Conducting business near the Aabpara Police Station, his location was not too far away from the red-zone. He ran away as he was approached.
Similarly, Shirafat Hussain, another animal vendor in Sadiqabad, Rawalpindi said taking animals to the markets was going to cost him a lot.
“I have already paid a huge transportation cost for bringing these animals from Baltistan. Bearing more expenses is not easy for me,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2010.
Administrations of the twin cities are unable to restrict the movement of shepherds who are setting up sale points on green belts and other unauthorised spots.
While taking a round of the twin cities, The Express Tribune found many shepherds selling animals inside the city. Tehsil Municipal Administrator (TMA) Rawal Town Talat Mehmood said the administration was conducting an operation against all such vendors who were selling animals at restricted areas. “Eight points have been set up in the city and 23 officers are deputed to monitor them,” he added.
“Since Sunday we have collected more than Rs60,000 in fines from these vendors for violating the law,”Mehmood said. He further said shortage of staff was the major challenge behind a strict check and balance over the movement of such vendors. “At night there are no officials to monitor the movement of animal vendors in the city, which is why majority of them take full advantage of this opportunity,” he said.
He further said that they have fined vendors selling animals inside houses located in the heart of the city.
Mansoor Ahmed Khan, Director Directorate Municipal Administration of CDA, said many animal vendors tried to enter the capital but were sent back to the sacrificial market.
“We are not imposing any fine on them but just giving them warnings. Imposing fines could be counterproductive, and might result into higher prices of animals,” he added.
He said the administration was trying to keep a strict check at the entry and exit points of the capital.
On the other hand, shepherds such as Mohammad Raman were openly defying the restrictions imposed by the authorities. “I have brought sacrificial animals from Kabul and just off loaded them from the truck,” he said, having set up his stall at a road side in sector I-11. He showed complete unawareness about government’s restriction over keeping animals at designated points.
He added that no one from the security staff deputed at the entry and exit points of the twin cities stopped him or briefed him about the arrangements. “I will sell the animals here at the road side,” he said.
Hameedullah another shepherd was found selling camels at a green belt in sector I-11.
“Like every Eid, I will sell my animals by the road side as it is more convenient for the buyers to get them from here instead of getting inside the crowded markets,” he added.
A vendor was also found selling animals in the main Aabpara Market. Conducting business near the Aabpara Police Station, his location was not too far away from the red-zone. He ran away as he was approached.
Similarly, Shirafat Hussain, another animal vendor in Sadiqabad, Rawalpindi said taking animals to the markets was going to cost him a lot.
“I have already paid a huge transportation cost for bringing these animals from Baltistan. Bearing more expenses is not easy for me,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2010.