Karachi to register FIRs over illegal cattle markets

KARACHI: The Karachi administration has decided to move from warnings to criminal action against unauthorised cattle markets that have appeared across the city ahead of Eidul Azha, with officials saying FIRs will be registered against those responsible for setting up illegal sale points.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired on Saturday by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi, where deputy commissioners reviewed ongoing operations against unapproved livestock markets following public complaints. Officials examined enforcement efforts aimed at removing cattle sale points established without permission or planning.

Deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners told the meeting that 21 illegal cattle markets had so far been dismantled in different parts of Karachi. The operations were carried out in Jamshed Quarters, Saddar, New Karachi, Garden, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Liaquatabad and Orangi.

According to the briefing, Orangi alone accounted for removals at 10 locations. District-wise, action was taken at three sites in Karachi East, two in Karachi South, four in Karachi Central and two in Korangi.

Officials said anti-encroachment and removal operations were being conducted daily with police support. However, they added that sellers were repeatedly returning in smaller groups and reoccupying roadside spaces to restart informal livestock sales, making the campaign a continuing enforcement challenge.

The meeting was told that stronger coordination between police and town administrations was necessary for more effective action. Commissioner Naqvi said unapproved and unplanned cattle markets were affecting sanitation arrangements and creating serious traffic problems in different parts of the city, and called for immediate steps to address the situation.

It was decided during the meeting that FIRs would be lodged against those involved in establishing illegal cattle markets. The commissioner directed town municipal administrations, police and traffic authorities to extend full cooperation in removing unauthorised setups.

Officials also informed the meeting that more than 21 properly planned cattle markets had already been set up in Karachi in consultation with the relevant agencies. Despite that, the spread of informal markets was continuing to cause civic problems and inconvenience for residents.

Price control review

In a separate meeting also chaired by the commissioner, officials reviewed enforcement measures related to price control, including action against hoarding and overcharging during the past two weeks.

Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Rabia Syed presented a report stating that from May 9 to May 22, action was taken against 678 profiteers and fines totaling Rs3.23 million were imposed. During the same period, 20 shops were sealed and six profiteers were arrested.

The meeting was further told that assistant commissioners inspected 1,543 locations to monitor prices.

A week-by-week comparison was also presented. Between May 9 and May 15, authorities proceeded against 383 profiteers, imposed fines of Rs1.97 million, sealed 16 shops and arrested six offenders, while inspections were carried out at 1,812 locations.

From May 16 to May 22, enforcement teams took action against 295 profiteers and imposed fines amounting to Rs1.26 million. Four shops were sealed during that period, alongside continued price-checking operations across the city.