Around 110 sacrificial animal illegal markets have been set up in all districts of Karachi without the permission of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and interim Sindh government. The KMC and the caretaker government have allowed setting up of only 16 sacrificial markets. In addition, 10 illegal markets of sacrificial animals have been established in Karachi and Clifton cantonment boards, officials of Karachi Commissioner revealed. Army Welfare Trust has also set a market within the area of Gora Qubrustan on Shahrah-e-Faisal without permission from any authority. However, an illegal market near near Baloch Colony has been dismantled by the administration on the orders of Korangi deputy commissioner. Meanwhile, district municipal corporations (Malir and West) have also set up four markets on their own in their respective areas without the permission from the KMC and the Home Department. DMC Malir has established illegal markets in Street No 12, Main Road, Zero Point and Railway Phatak of Cattle Piri Cattle Colony. Similarly, DMC West has allowed a private contractor to set up a market in Yousuf Goth Baldia Town. The DMCs have also asked their respective tax director offices to collect NOC fee, annual fee, parking charges, stalls charges and other miscellaneous charges. Earlier, the Local Government Department secretary had issued an order, warning all district and union councils not to allow establishment of illegal markets. The Home Department has allowed establishment of markets on Super Highway, Asoo Goth Malir 15, Cattle Mandi Landhi, Rice Godown near Baber Market, Hamdard University near Manghopir, Moach Goth Baldia Town and Cattle Mandi. KMC has permitted setting up of markets on Plot FT-3/4 near Junior Model School Freer Town, Raees Sarwar Goth, Hub River Road, HMH Square, Hassan Square on Gulshan-e-Iqbal Ground, Sector 11-D North Karachi, Qayumabad Korangi Road, Piri at Chicken Feed Plant, adjacent Landhi, Piri at Tamki Ground on Mehran Highway Landhi, Mawach Goth Piri Special Services Market, Northern Bypass Link Road Orangi and Lyari Piri. In addition, Karachi Station Commander is authorised by Home Department for allowing such markets in the limits of Clifton Board Cantonment and Karachi Cantonment Board. Due to illegally setting up markets, issues of general hygiene and security have been propped up. Meanwhile, Dr Farooq Ahmad, senior director of Veterinary Department KMC, has said that six task force teams with the assistance of anti-encroachment cell and wardens of entity will check and take on-the-spot action against violators. “In case of illegal markets, small and big sacrificial animals will be taken into custody and thereafter will be auctioned. The receipts would be deposited in government treasury,” he revealed. Around 1.9 million to 2 million big and small animals are expected to arrive in three permanent animal markets and around 16 makeshift legal markets. Published in Daily Times, August 7th 2018.