Traders flout CDGL’s ban, continue selling sacrificial animals on roads

–Sale of animals continues within city as commuters complain of traffic mess

–Vendors carp about lack of customers in makeshift markets set up by admin

LAHORE: Cattle traders, instead of the markets established by the administration ahead of Eidul Azha, are openly selling sacrificial animals on all major roads of the provincial capital, Pakistan Today has observed.

Herds of sacrificial animals can be seen on several roads, vacant plots in different residential areas, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) housing schemes and city’s entry and exit points. The major roads, where the ban imposed by City District Government Lahore (CDGL) is being defied by vendors, include GT Road, Multan Road, Canal Bank Road, Abbott Road and Ferozepur Road to name a few, which is also causing problems to commuters.

Speaking to Pakistan Today, a citizen, Muhammad Arshad, lamented that the government had not taken any action against cattle sellers. While stuck in a jam caused by these makeshift markets within the city, he said that everyone was doing whatever they wanted. “Nobody from the government bothers to take action against these,” he complained.

A cattle trader, Akeel Ahmed, on the other hand, selling sacrificial animals in the Shadman area of the city, said that he decided to enter localities after failing to get any customers in the temporary market set up on Ferozepur Road.

“I brought some 30 animals from Sargodha and only managed to sell 10 in that market… and that too on a lower price. By heading herd on roadsides, I am getting more customers and my profit margin is higher. People from nearby areas come and buy animals of their choice.” He claimed that facilities in the temporary market were not up to the mark as well and he had to pay different taxes besides “greasing the palms” of the city district officials.

It is worth mentioning here that CDGL has allocated seven points where temporary markets have been set up for the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals in the provincial capital. These include China Scheme D Block, Matches Factory Shahdarah, Rajbah Road Daroghawala, Glaxo Factory on Ferozepur Road, Shahpur Kanjran, LDA Avenue I on Raiwind Road and Ghaziabad.

CDGL officials said the District Coordination Officer (DCO) Lahore has written to Lahore CCPO over the issue and asked him to ensure implementation of the decision by taking strict action against illegal sale and purchase points of sacrificial animals.

Animals are coming in bulk from Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Sadiqabad, Sargodha, Multan, Jacobabad, Sahiwal, Sheikhupura and other districts. With Eid approaching, the process has gained momentum and the supply is increasing. It has been observed that the demand for animals is lesser this year as compared to 2017 owing to high prices.