Daily Times

LAHORE: Seven cattle markets would be setup at different points of the city before August 23, while section 144 would be implemented across the city from August 22 and strict action would be taken against those who would sell sacrificial animals at other points, Daily Times learnt on Monday.

Lahore District Coordination Officer (DCO) Captain (r) Muhammad Usman had earlier sought proposal from all town administrations for establishing cattle markets in their respective areas to point out the selling points for sacrificial animals. After deliberations, the DCO approved seven places for establishment of cattle markets.

According to the copy of a notification available with Daily Times, cattle markets would be established at Bakar Mandi, Shahpur Kanjra, Multan Road in Iqbal Town jurisdiction, Adda Rakh Chahbeel, GT Road, Manawan in Wagha Town area, DHA Phase-9 Prism opposite Nishat Mill, Hadyara Drain in Gulberg Town area, Hazrat Usman Road, Main Saggian Road in Data Gunj Buksh Town and Hazrat Usman Road, Main Saggian Road in Ravi Town area. Two markets would be set up in Nishtar Town at designated points, including Punjab Government Emplyees Cooperative Housing Society Phase-2 Block-E and WAPDA Town extension A-2 Block, College Road, Township, and second at Audit and Accounts Society No 2, Kacha Road.

All town municipal officers of Lahore were directed to establish the abovementioned sale points immediately and complete the necessary arrangements in this regard.

The DCO, while talking to Daily Times, assured that district administration would not permit anyone sell sacrificial animals in areas other than the approved places, adding that the district administration would take strict action against those persons who would sell sacrificial animal at other points. Usman also directed all town administrations to complete arrangements in their respective areas before August 23.

He directed the livestock department to take all necessary safety measures against Congo virus and ensure the use of anti-Congo virus spray in the cattle markets. He said that 20 camps have been established with the help of police and livestock department to keep the animals free from the virus.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had also directed the concerned departments to make an effective strategy for protection of animals against the Congo virus. He said that spray in cattle markets should be administered on priority basis, adding that the departments concerned should utilise all out resources for prevention from Congo virus and the officers of these departments should perform their duties honesty and efficiently.

Meanwhile, Lahore Waste Management Company also prepared a plan to timely remove waste and ensured cleanliness in the cattle markets across the city. The LWMC spokesperson said that they would setup model camps in all cattle markets across the city, adding that LWMC would deploy 170 sanitary workers along with machinery, including 47 hand carts, 10 arm rolls/ compactors, seven loaders and pick ups, 50 waste containers to mange around 510 tonnes of waste on daily basis.

He said that the social mobilisers of LWMC would sensitise the buyers and sellers regarding LWMC measures on proper disposal of animal waste on Eidul Azha. Customised waste bags specifically designed for animal offal would be distributed along with instructional pamphlets, he added.