Daily Times

KARACHI: Task Force Veterinary Department (VD) Karachi Metropolitan Corporation in it first move against illegal sacrificial animals makeshift markets in the city has impounded 210 animals in an action in Orangi Town sector 8.

The owner has been warned of legal action including cash penalty if tries to resettle the animal bazaar. However, the captured animals have been shifted to official Bakra Mandi Northern Bypass.

An official of concerned department has informed that names of owners legally sanctioned permits to run eleven animal markets outside city would be advertised for general public through print and electronic media on August 15.

The official has claimed that Clifton and Malir Cantonment Boards without permission of KMC have set up such markets. Both entities have already assured Commissioner Karachi that they would seek permission from KMC, he added.

Army Welfare Trust animal market in DHA-7 has also been set up without permission of the civic entity.

Despite a joint meeting held in July between Veterinary Department of and officials of Cantonment Boards with Commissioner Karachi, the parties had agreed in principle no any makeshift sacrificial animal markets on Eid-ul-Azha would be set up without seeking ‘no objection certificate’ from Metropolitan authority.

Dr Farooq Ahmad, senior Director Veterinary Department has informed that around 100 illegal markets have been reportedly cropped up in parts of city and after August 14, Department would start operation against these markets.

Six task forces have been constituted comprising members of anti encroachment, community wardens and veterinary department of KMC, he added. They are equipped with machinery and vans of pesticides in order to spray after dismantling such illegal animal markets, he informed.

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, he revealed.

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.

Caution 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 violation as well .has already been placed

Around 1.9 million to 2 million big and small animals are expecting entering in three permanent animal markets.

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 14^th 2017.