Islamabad:On the directions of the Director General Enforcement, Capital Development Authority (CDA), and the Chief Officer, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), a comprehensive operation against illegal cattle markets was carried out across Islamabad.
The operation is being carried out jointly by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) with the cooperation of the District Administration Islamabad.
For Eid-ul-Azha, the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad has allotted the following six officially approved cattle markets through open auction: I-12 Cattle Market, Sangjani Cattle Market, Zia Masjid Cattle Market, Sultana Foundation Cattle Market, Japan Road Cattle Market, Bhara Kahu Cattle Market.
The sale and purchase of sacrificial animals is legally permitted only in these officially approved and auctioned cattle markets. Any cattle market operating at any other location within Islamabad shall be treated as illegal, the MCI spokesman said.
During the ongoing enforcement campaign, an illegal cattle market in the PWD area was removed and approximately 30 goats were confiscated. Subsequently, another unauthorized cattle market operating at Jinnah Garden Phase-I, Naval Road, was raided, and 31 goats were taken into custody.
All confiscated animals were shifted to the approved Japan Road Cattle Market, where the owners are allowed to sell their sacrificial animals. In addition, during yesterday’s enforcement operation, a total of 572 goats were shifted from various illegal cattle markets to approved sites.
Out of these, 481 goats were shifted to the Zia Masjid Cattle Market, while 91 goats were shifted to the Japan Road Cattle Market. MCI has also strictly enforced the officially notified market fee structure in all approved cattle markets. Fee for large animals (camels, cows, and bulls) has been fixed at Rs4,000 per animal, while the fee for small animals (goats and sheep) has been fixed at Rs3,000 per animal.
Citizens are advised to immediately report any instance of overcharging so that strict action can be taken against the responsible parties. Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad reiterates that no illegal cattle market will be allowed to operate in the Federal Capital. MCI and CDA, with the support of the District Administration Islamabad, will continue this operation without discrimination and will shift animals from unauthorized locations to the designated approved cattle markets. The public is requested to purchase sacrificial animals only from the officially approved cattle markets and to report any illegal cattle market or overcharging to the relevant authorities.
