Authorities directed to ensure SOPs at cattle markets

Rawalpindi : The Deputy Commissioner (DC), Rawalpindi Amir Atiq Khan has ordered to establish cattle market at Bhatta Chowk near Misriyal Road, Adiala Road near Punjab Cooperative Housing Society and at Chakri Road near Al-Haram City, from Thursday (today).

The local administration has also ordered to set up cattle market at Gujar Khan near Domeli Bridge, in Tehsil Murree at Loir Bazaar, in Kalar Syedan near at bypass, in Kotli Sattian near Chavera Bazaarm in Kahuta near Tangi Road and at Tehsil Texila on GT Road.

The DC told ‘The News’ that sellers would sell their animals only on sale points otherwise strict action would be taken against them. He said that we are adopting precautions to avoid coronavirus in cattle markets. Not only coronavirus but ‘Congo Virus’ was also dangerous for citizens, so public should follow SOPs properly, he warned. He directed to spray in all markets to avoid all kinds of virus.

The Punjab government has sent a complete advisory for following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in all cattle markets and directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to provide all kinds of necessary facilities to buyers and sellers.

Nobody would be allowed to enter the cattle markets without masks. Both buyers and sellers would use hand sanitisers and masks.

The common citizens said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were thinking to waive off all charges and taxes on the vendors. The online system for purchasing sacrificial animals has failed badly as people are more interested in buying them after personally examining animals in the markets. But, skyrocketing prices have broken the back of a common man. The price of a bull was starting at Rs200,000 to Rs250000 and goat at Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 here in markets.