FIRs to be filed as unregulated Eid livestock setups disturb traffic, sanitation, civil order
KARACHI:
Illegal cattle markets that have sprung up across the city ahead of Eidul Azha are now facing criminal charges as the city administration goes beyond warnings and decides to register FIRs against those responsible for setting up unapproved livestock selling points.
A meeting chaired on Saturday by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi reviewed the ongoing efforts by Deputy Commissioners to dismantle such markets in response to public complaints. Officials assessed operations aimed at removing unauthorized cattle markets established without planning or permission.
Briefing the meeting about enforcement measures, Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners informed that a total of 21 illegal cattle markets had been busted so far. These operations were conducted across several parts of the city including Jamshed Quarters, Saddar, New Karachi, Garden, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Liaquatabad and Orangi.
Officials noted that in Orangi alone, markets were removed from 10 different locations, while district-wise action included three locations in Karachi East, two in Karachi South, four in Karachi Central and two in Korangi.
The authorities informed the meeting that the day-to-day operations were carried out with police assistance. But they added that vendors repeatedly return in small groups and occupy roadsides to resume informal sales, making enforcement an ongoing challenge.
The meeting emphasized that effective action requires stronger coordination between the police and city administrations. Commissioner Karachi stressed that unauthorized and unscheduled cattle markets were disrupting sanitation systems and causing severe traffic congestion across the city and called for immediate measures to address the problem.
It was decided that FIR should be filed against those responsible for setting up illegal cattle markets. The commissioner directed all the city’s municipal administrations, police and traffic authorities to cooperate fully in removing unauthorized setups.
Officials noted that over 21 properly planned cattle markets have already been established in the city in consultation with relevant agencies. However, the proliferation of informal markets continues to create civil disturbances and inconvenience to residents.
Separately, a review meeting on price control enforcement was also held under the chairmanship of the commissioner which looked into anti-hoarding and anti-price leakage over the past two weeks.
Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Rabia Syed submitted a detailed report stating that between May 9 and May 22, action was taken against 678 profiteers, resulting in fines of Rs 3.23 million. During this period, 20 shops were closed and six profiteers were arrested.
Assistant commissioners conducted inspections at 1,543 locations to monitor prices, the meeting was told. A comparative review of the weekly enforcement was also presented.
Between May 9 and May 15, action was taken against 383 profiteers, imposing fines of Rs.1.97 million, sealing 16 shops and arresting six offenders, with inspections conducted at 1,812 locations.
From May 16 to May 22, enforcement teams penalized 295 profiteers with fines totaling Rs 1.26 million, while four shops were sealed during the period along with continued price checks across the city.
