Despite the City District Government Karachi (CDGK)’s ban on unauthorised cattle markets, there are 85 of them set up in different areas of the city, allegedly in connivance with the city government officers.
District Coordination Officer (DCO) Roshan Shaikh had banned cattle markets expect for the one along the Superhighway.
The DCO had also directed the authorities arrest those ban violators, who could face a jail term of up to six months. Their animals could also be seized by police. But small herds of cows and goats can be seen all over the city, being sold at roadsides and grounds.
Illegal markets are set up before Eidul Azha for the past couple of years but the town administrations do not take action for their removal. These markets become a nuisance for residential areas. According to sources, the Land Department and town officials are bribed by the people running illegal markets. According to a survey conducted by Pakistan Today, there are various small cattle markets on roadsides and lanes in various towns.
A vast area along the road has been occupied by cattle dealers in Liaquatabad No 10. Similarly, sacrificial animals are being sold at Landikotal, Ziauddin Hospital and Five Star Roundabout in Nazimabad as well. Prominent illegal markets can also been seen in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block-19, Serena Market in Buffer Zone, Ismail Goth near Babar Market in Landhi, Korangi No 5½, North Nazimabad, Sir Shah Suleman Road in Essa Nagri Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Mehmoodabad, Orangi, Mosamiat, Safoora Chowrangi, Jauhar Complex, Pehalwan Goth and Safari Park.
Shahzeb Khan, a cattle dealer in Essa Nagri, told Pakistan Today that small cattle markets help him make big earnings with lower expenses. “Besides, I also don’t have to worry about competition and can easily attract sufficient number of customers, who do not want to travel too far to but sacrificial animals,” he added. Amir Gilani, one of the buyers at an illegal market, said that he was there to find out the general price range of sacrificial animals this year.
“This place is closer to my home and gives you a fair idea of different prices of animals. If I come across a good deal, I would not mind buying a goat from here,” he added.
