Banned outfits barred from collecting hides

LAHORE:The Punjab Home Department Monday urged citizens not to donate sacrificial animal hides to banned organisations, warning that violators will face action under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

According to a department spokesperson, only institutions registered with the Punjab Charity Commission are permitted to collect animal hides. Citizens are advised to verify the official certificate issued by the Charity Commission from hide collectors. Registered religious seminaries must obtain formal permission from the relevant Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to collect hides. Prohibited organisations include Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Al-Rehmat Trust Bahawalpur, Al-Furqan Trust Karachi, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Jafaria Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi, Al-Qaeda, and several other groups active in Balochistan, Sindh, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The complete list of banned organisations is available on the Punjab Home Department and NACTA websites. Citizens are encouraged to report any hide collection by representatives of these organisations to emergency number 15, the toll-free helpline 0800-11111, or the Home Department’s helplines at 042-99214871 and 042-99214872.

11 arrested for selling sacrificial animals on roads

The district administration has arrested 11 persons in the past 24 hours for selling sacrificial animals on city roads here on Monday.

Officials said the administration was also conducting crackdown against illegal cattle sale points, resulting in the sealing of multiple properties. Assistant Commissioners and Metropolitan Corporation Lahore teams were maintaining continuous surveillance to provide the best facilities to citizens. Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza made it clear that illegal cattle sale points will not be tolerated at all, and such points are being removed immediately as soon as they are established. Assistant Commissioner Shalimar M Saqib Tarazi eliminated illegal sale points in Kotli Ghasi and arrested 11 individuals. Under the administration's active operations in various areas, Assistant Commissioner Cantt Fatima Arshad has completely eliminated illegal points on Ring Road and resolved parking issues at the cattle market on Barki Road.

Assistant Commissioner Ravi Tariq Shabir removed illegal points from Ravi Bridge, and Assistant Commissioner Model Town eliminated illegal cattle markets from Minhaj-ul-Quran Road and Assistant Commissioner City Babar Ali Rai shut down 4 illegal cattle points in Sabzazar.

According to Metropolitan Officer Regulation Kashif Jalil, special teams consisting of 10 trucks and 10 motorcycles with staff are continuously patrolling. Chief Officer Metropolitan Corporation Shahid Abbas Kathia stated that illegal sale points were being removed immediately.

Deputy Commissioner said the administration has ensured the provision of modern facilities at cattle markets and special measures have been taken to ensure smooth traffic flow, proper parking arrangements, prevention of overcharging, and supply of clean water.

An excellent system of tent installation, veterinary services, medical camps, and Rescue 1122 services has been activated in the markets, officials said adding the administration has given special attention to sanitation arrangements to provide citizens with a healthy environment. Complete teams of expert doctors have been made available at medical camps who were providing services round the clock.

Deputy Commissioner stated that public convenience and city improvement are our top priorities. The administration was continuously monitoring and striving to improve all arrangements so that citizens face no inconvenience during Eid-ul-Azha.