KARACHI: A joint meeting of Veterinary Department of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and officials of Cantonment Boards in principle have agreed that makeshift sacrificial animal markets on Eid-ul-Azha could not be set up in Karachi without seeking ‘no objection certificate’ from the Metropolitan authority.
The Deputy Mayor has informed that understanding between the two on the matter would help setting up such markets in city within legal framework.
It is pertinent to mention here that offices of Commissioner and deputies have failed to stop the setting up of illegal markets in the past.
As a result of that unchecked livestock by the Veterinary Department was been sold to the buyers.
In order to restrict sellers, it was necessary to put checks especially on the sale of sick farm animals, informed officials of Veterinary Department.
Dr Farooq Ahmad, senior Director of the Department has informed that six task force teams comprising members of veterinary, anti encroachment cell and wardens of the entity would be responsible to check and on-the-spot action against the violators.
In case of illegal set ups, the small and big sacrificial animals would be taken into custody and thereafter would be auctioned to legally set up market owners. The receipts would be deposited in the government treasury.
Several veterinary medical teams have also been formed and they have been given task to keep check on sale of sick animals besides to conduct on-the-spot checking of animals. In this connection, testing kits to determine animal health have already been purchased. A medical test fee of Rs 500 per animal head has been proposed.
A drive has also been planned by putting cautionary banners for customers and market sellers in and around such markets to follow sale and purchase conditions besides to save people buying sick animals and sellers from its violation as well.
Around 1.9 million to 2 million big and small animals are expected to enter in three permanent animal markets and around 15 such makeshift markets.
The Metropolitan authority has already issued twelve ‘no objection certificates’ to intending sellers.
“We are also trying to keep buyers away from traffic congestion, unhygienic conditions and of security issues”, he added.
Sale of animals at illegal set ups is in contravention of Metropolitan by laws regarding registration, sale and supervision of animals under schedule II part-I Sindh Local Government Act 2013.
We are also anticipating likely destruction due to Congo Virus and other diseases and are ready to meet such eventuality, Dr Farooq maintained.
In pursuance of section 195(1) (a) Cr.P C, police officers not below rank of SHO of concerned police stations are authorised to register complaints per section 188 PPC in writing for violation of section 144 Cr. P C against violators, he concluded.
Published in Daily Times, August 5th 2017.
