Arrangements for sacrificial animals’ market all but completed

Karachi

The local administration has started giving final touches to arrangements for what is considered Asia’s biggest market of sacrificial animals in Sohrab Goth.

In a statement issued on Friday, Jahangir Allah Rakha, the administrator of Karachi’s cattle market, said that special arrangements had been made for ensuring security for traders and their livestock.

Rangers’ personnel will take care of security in nearby areas of the market, in addition to policing arrangements.

Measures will be taken to prevent incidents of theft of animals as well as for safe transactions at the market.

Further steps have been taken to check and confirm vaccination of sacrificial animals. Traders have been advised to get their animals timely vaccinated to avoid action against them by the administration.

The cattle market administrator said that the market and its adjoining areas had been cleaned up, while facilities of water and feed for the animals were in place.

Clean drinking water was available for all traders and customers at the market, he added.

The administrator further said that it would be ensured that the issues highlighted last years were not faced by customers this year.  An area of 700 acres has been allotted for the animals, and 26 blocks have been set up at the market.

These include four VIP blocks for cattle from the farms. Traders from across the country have already started bringing in their animals at the market, whose official opening ceremony will be held soon.

Congo virus

Thinking of going to the mandi(cattle market) to buy sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha? You could be putting yourself at risk of contracting the deadly Congo virus, which has claimed at least 35 patients in the country this year, Geo News reported.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Medical and Health Services Department has issued a health advisory for prevention of the disease ahead of the Eid season.

According to the Senior Director of Medical and Health Services Dr Muhammad Ali Abbas, there is a serious need for proper medical check and inspection of animals before they are brought to the cattle markets in Karachi.