- Illegal capital markets established in the capital
- Contractors taking illegal tax on the sale of every animal
- Markets devoid of major facilities
The sellers and purchasers of sacrificial animals in the capital’s major cattle market, I-12, are facing severe lighting and parking issues due to sheer negligence of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI).
With just a little over three days to go for the traditional festival of Eidul Azha, vendors now fear that the recent downpour may cause illnesses to the animals. Sale of sacrificial animals has picked up momentum ahead of Eid in the capital’s cattle markets, where cows, buffalos, goats, sheep, and camels are being brought in from Punjab, Sindh and different far flung districts of KP, in a bid to get these animals sold for the highest possible prices.
Many cattle markets have been established within the rural areas of Islamabad at the direction of the chairmen of different union councils; however, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) are reluctant to take any action against them, as they are backed by CADD Minister and Islamabad Mayor.
Contractors in the main cattle mandi (market) of Islamabad are collecting up to Rs1200 per cow and buffalo, and Rs700 per goat from the vendors in contradiction to the auctioned price Rs500 and Rs250, respectively.
Allah Dita Riasat, an animal vendor, came from Okara, said that only 650 light bulbs have been installed in a place brimming with more than one million animals, hundreds of vendors, and millions of visitors in the cattle market. He further added that water is easily available but there is a shortage of quality food for the cattle.
He went on to say, “Only the main entrance to the cattle market is well-lit, other areas are almost submerged in darkness. There are no security guards around the market and hence we feel insecure.”
Ghulam Ahmad Murtaza, a vendor, came from Mian Channu, said that so far six out of a total of 16 cows that he bought from the market, have been sold at competitive prices, ranging from Rs65, 000 to Rs130, 000.
Another vendor from Mian Channu, Mian Khursheed Ahmed said that he transported 16 cows to the Islamabad’s Mandi thinking that being the capital’s biggest mandi, it would be facilitated with all basic necessities like medical center for animals, road lights, clean drinking water, washrooms, and proper parking and security system. However, much to his disappointment, the situation of the mandi is pathetic and till date only 9 of his cows have been sold.
“My friends and I have been drinking sugar cane juice only because the water that has been provided to us is contaminated. I paid Rs1200 for the entry of each cow. I have now realised that it was a mistake to bring my cows to Islamabad instead of taking them to the Faisalabad mandi, which is equipped with all major facilities at an entry fee of only Rs100,” he further said.
Chairmen union councils 3, 4 and 5 have also auctioned a cattle market in Bahra Kahu against three million rupees, where apart from the selling price, the contractors are collecting an illegal tax of Rs3000 per cow/buffalo and Rs1200 per goat from the purchasers.
“If purchasers refuse to pay the tax, they’re threatened that they wouldn’t be allowed to exit the market unless and until that tax is paid,” said Obaid Abbasi, a resident of Bahra Kahu.
He further said that he had registered a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad and ADCG, and also the DMA director, Ali Sufian, but all of them were apparently reluctant to take action against the contractor and the UC chairmen.
Some small mandis have also been established in the adjacent areas of the federal capital, like at Pandora Chungi, CDA stop, Chattha Bakhtawar, Chak Shehzad.
When contacted, Mayor and Chairman CDA, Sheikh Anser Aziz said that he had requested the concerned departments many times, to facilitate animal vendors and purchasers, but to no avail.
