CDA has rented cattle market (for Eid-ul-Azha) place for Rs. 6.5 million for 1st Zilhuj to 13 Zilhuj in sector I-11, Islamabad. The market being situated at this place causes great trouble to people working in different offices near this place, as massive jams hamper movement on the road, which has already been sealed from the sides for security reasons. Following suggestions, if properly attended to will mitigate the sufferings of buyers and sellers.
•Vast parking space may arranged with appropriate watch & ward facility near Kashmir Highway turn towards Police Lines with entrance from one side and exit from the other side. There is no dearth of levelled space beside Kashmir Highway. Such arrangements would reduce traffic jams and haphazardness in the area.
•Fumigation may be carried out in the area before arrival of cattle and punctual & active sanitary staff, according to actual requirement, may be deputed to keep the area clean and worth moving.
•Veterinary staff should be present at the market to ascertain the health of cattle. Weak and ill animals may not be allowed to enter the market, and their owners should be fined.
•Upper and lower price slabs of buying & selling sacrificial animals need to be fixed after negotiation with representatives of both parties (buyers & sellers). This would put a check on extra-profiteering by sellers.
•CDA should make appropriate electricity arrangements to illuminate the place. In the absence of light, people are prone to be cheated by sellers as sacrificial animals must be free from any physical defect.
•It is advisable for buyers to check the horns, teeth, eyes, ears, paws & tail of sacrificial animal to ensure it does not have any physical deficiency.
•Some makeshift sheds may be constructed for animals to stay safe during rain and cold.
•Food stalls for animals may be arranged at some distance from market so that people who want to buy only animal food should not bother to cross the market.
IFTIKHAR MIRZA
Islamabad
(II)
Markets of animals for Eid-ul-Azha are being set up in different areas of Karachi. The prices as everybody knows are high and are not at all affordable for most of the people. People visit the markets but returns back to their homes empty handed. Most markets are set up by the cattle farmers who are selling animals at high prices.
The sellers of animals are even setting up tents for their animals (people are charged with money for viewing the animals inside),where they keep their best stock. People from the elite class can afford expensive animals; therefore, it’s another way for them to show off. The reason for slaughtering halal animals is left behind and people are more interested in showing off. The sellers should be ashamed of selling animals at high prices and making qurbani difficult for the poor ones.
DANIA ZEHRA
Karachi
