RAWALPINDI:
Ahead of Eidul Azha, the Rawalpindi divisional administration has approved eight designated cattle markets throughout the district while enforcing a strict ban on the sale and purchase of animals along roadsides and unauthorized areas.
To maintain hygiene and safety, only animals certified as healthy will be permitted for sale. The sale of sick or weak livestock is prohibited, with violators facing legal action and confiscation of animals.
Traders from South Punjab have raised concerns over excessive entry fees at the main Bhata Chowk market. They claim contractors are charging Rs7,000 per large animal instead of the official Rs3,000, and Rs6,000 per small animal rather than Rs2,000. Despite the heavy transportation costs of traveling over 600 kilometers, sellers feel compelled to pay these inflated fees, which ultimately increase the price of sacrificial animals.
Contractor representatives defended the charges, stating the fees cover the costs associated with securing high-value contracts.
Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak has mandated that all cattle markets be equipped with disinfectants, undergo regular sanitization, and have fire brigade services on standby. Traffic police have been tasked with managing traffic flow around these markets to ensure smooth movement.
According to official notifications, three cattle markets have been established in Tehsil Rawalpindi: the main Bhata Chowk market in Rawalpindi Cantt, one near Koh-e-Noor Mill, and another in Mouza Ranyal close to Fatima Jinnah University Campus on Chakri Road.
Other markets will operate at Kallar Syedan Road near Mankiala Bridge, Gulyana Road, near the slaughterhouse in Tehsil Gujar Khan, Sharif Hospital Stop on GT Road, Timber Market Road in Tehsil Taxila, Mangal Bypass in Tehsil Kallar Syedan, and Chan Shah Jaliar on Tangi Road in Tehsil Kahuta.
Commissioner Khattak has directed all relevant authorities to ensure proper sanitation, adequate facilities, and effective traffic management at all approved cattle markets.
