by Bilal Kanjal
ISLAMABAD: Around two million people of Islamabad are being forced to consume unchecked meat, since the city continues to lack a proper slaughterhouse, since its inception in the early 60’s,
The butchers await a designated slaughterhouse facility of their own which means that they have to slaughter their animals in their shops or an empty plot.
This has compromised the quality of meat and cleanliness of areas where the animals are slaughtered. The consumers are also affected badly because of delay in a purpose built facility.
According to Khurshid Ahmed Qureshi, President of All Pakistan Jamiatul Quresh Welfare Association, a population of 2 million directly suffers as a result of this.
In Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) there are 495 registered butcher shops, while the city has a daily consumption of 4500 animals per day, the president said. In total, there are almost 555 unregistered butcher shops in the city.
“We cannot ignore the complaints by citizens…there is no quality control in this regard”.
Ahmed Qureshi said that good quality meat at an affordable price can only be ensured through the development of a proper slaughterhouse. Despite the orders of Islamabad High Court (IHC), Metropolitan Corporation and CDA have been unable to pursue this project.
“Animal blood and entrails which are rich mediums for the spread of various diseases, are transported in open vans throughout the city”, said Dr Muzaffar of PIMS.
While talking with Pakistan Today, Saeed Malik said that we citizens are worried about meat’s quality as there is no proper slaughterhouse and the meat is unchecked.
Shahid, a butcher, told that he, along with many other butchers, collectively manages to slaughter in a private abattoir in Golra.
A citizen named Manzoor Ahmed said that the increasing practice of private slaughtering in many parts of the city is deteriorating the condition of Islamabad. The quality of meat and weather it is halal or not can only be ensured if there is an authorised slaughterhouse, he added.
While talking with Pakistan Today, CDA Spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said that 4 acres of land, with all its allied facilities, is reserved for a slaughterhouse in I-11; planning for construction is in progress.
When questioned about the amount of time needed to complete the project, he said that the process is likely to start soon.
