The ordeal of imported sheep from Australia had created perplexity among masses when they came to know that a large number of ‘diseased’ sheep have been brought to Karachi on September 4. Up till now, 7,667 sheep have been slaughtered on government orders but the by Australian concerned officials keep on denying this news of diseased sheep.
The shortcomings found at our end; first, exact number of imported sheep is varied in official papers between 20,000 to 22,000. Secondly, no official of the federal quarantine was present during counting. Thirdly, the letter dated September 12 has the name of just one farm and other PK farm, raided by govt officials where 5 animals were found dead and many others diseased, was not mentioned in the letter. Fourthly, the farm was not actually quarantine rather that place is being used as a slaughter house. Fifthly, the imported animals were allowed to be in close contact with other animals brought for slaughter.
The measures need to take in this regards are; first, the livestock should be medically tested before importing and their numbers should be exactly counted. Initially there was news in the air that these infected animals carry dangerous germs; harmful for human beings and environment as well, that’s why authorities took the decision to cull the infected sheep with wasting no time. Now as the culling process has been stopped so the concerned officials need to muse over spreading of those dangerous germs in environment. All stakeholders involved in this matter of buying a large number of animals for rupees 254 per sheep shows their greediness at the cost of innocent human lives. The higher authorities should seek help of international laboratories to get the confirmed medical report in this matter.
It will be a brutal step if the person at the helm of the affairs would ignore this matter which can risk the innocent lives of both; human beings and livestock. There is a need to think selflessly otherwise it will be another step in losing trust between the government and the masses.
SABA ASGHER ALI
Lahore