A growing number of cattle pens in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas have become a bane for the residents, as the local administration has turned a deaf ear to the issue despite a demand from the locals to shift them out of residential areas.
Due to the dumping of dung and manure in the open, chocking sewerage lines, all pervading pungent smell and overpowering air have become synonymous with the thickly populated areas of the city, putting the lives of the locals at risk through various problems, including spread of infectious and contagious diseases.
The locals said that the authorities have almost given in to the livestock owners as several complaints on their part have gone down the drain as cattle-pens continue to operate with impunity.
The cattle-pens are mainly operating in areas including Dhoke Ilahi Buksh, Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, Pirwadhai, Dhoke Dalal, Ilyas Colony, Dhoke Gojran, Officers’ Colony, Shams Colony, Naseerabad, Gulshan-e-Khuda Dad, Nai Abadi, Tahili Mohri, Ghausia Choke, Misral Chok, PIA Colony and several other areas.
The locals have demanded that a grand operation be carried out in the city and cantonment areas to do away with the cattle-pens to save the local population from being trapped in several infectious and contagious diseases.