Raising concerns : 'Illegal cattle markets pose threat to citizens' health'

A man holds a goat while another combs its hair before selling it for Rs11,000 in a market in Safoora Goth. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has admitted a petition seeking a ban on the establishment of illegal cattle markets in the city for hearing.

The bench headed by Justice Munib Akhtar directed the office to fix the plea on October 10 for passing an order.

Rana Faizul Hasan, a representative of the United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, had taken the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and others to the high court over the growth of illegal cattle markets.

He said that the health department had recently asked the local administration to disallow establishment of the illegal cattle markets as a preventive measure to stop the deadly Congo virus from spreading in the city.

He added said that at a special meeting of the stakeholders, the in-charge of the provincial anti-dengue cell had sought a ban on mushrooming cattle markets in the city and advised the local government authorities to ensure proper fumigation in the cattle markets established at the officially designated places.

According to the petitioner, there are only five designated areas for setting up cattle markets – Super Highway, Malir 15, Cattle Colony, Manghopir and Mawachh Goth. “However, at least 150 cattle markets have been set up in multiple areas, including Shah Faisal Colony, Akhtar Colony, Banaras, Liaquatabad, Essa Nagri, Gulberg, Orangi Town, Landhi, FB Area, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, University Road, Safari Park and many other residential areas. These cattle markets run along the footpaths and main arteries, causing traffic gridlocks,” the petitioner claimed.

Rana argued that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, local bodies department, police and other relevant authorities were responsible for the removal of illegal markets and should impose a ban under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

He asked that the court order the authorities to immediately ban illegal cattle markets in the city to save citizens from the Congo virus. He also sought a direction for the officials to remove such markets at the earliest.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2013.