3 sacrificial animals markets in capital, 10 in Rawalpindi

Islamabad : The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) has set up three markets in the outskirts of the federal capital to allow sale and purchase of sacrificial animals ahead of Eidul Azha.

The sale points were established in suburban areas including Bhara Kahu, Taramri, and Tarnol in compliance with the anti-coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the district administration to curb the virus spread, MCI Administrator Syeda Shafaq Hashmi told this agency.

“It is the responsibility of MCI to provide opportunity to citizens of Islamabad to perform their religious duties along with safety measures,” she noted.

“A complete ban will remain in place on the sale of sacrificial animals within the premises of the city,” she said, adding the staffers and the traders at the cattle market would be vaccinated.

Earlier, the National Health Ministry has also issued guidelines to contain the virus spread during Eidul Azha.

“Social distancing should be ensured at the cattle markets besides also implementing directives regarding facemask,” the ministry said.

It further added that the temperature of those entering the market should be checked other than sanitizing the hands of the visitors.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi district administration has set up 10 cattle markets for sale of sacrificial animals in Rawalpindi district including three at Bhatta Chowk, Adiala Road and Chakri Road in Rawalpindi city areas.

Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) and Cantonment Board authorities have imposed a ban on the entry of sacrificial animals in the city and cantonment areas.

Under the ban, the sale and purchase of the animals has been restricted on the occasion of Eidul Azha.

The decision was taken to maintain cleanliness and avoid waste pollution in the city, said a MCR spokesperson.

According to a district administration spokesperson, the administration on the directives of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi Aamir Aqiq Khan, has set up 10 approved cattle markets for Eid-ul-Azha.

“In Rawalpindi, cattle markets of sacrificial animals were set up at Bhatta Chowk near Koh-e-Noor Mills Rawalpindi Cantt, Punjab Cooperative Housing Society Adiala Road and Chakri Road near Al-Haram City.

Gujar Khan cattle market was set up near Domeli Bridge while the sale point of sacrificial animals of Murree Tehsil is near Lower Bazar Murree. Kalar Syedan Mandi was set up at Mangle bypass,” he added.

Similarly, Kotli Sattian sale point of sacrificial animals is near Chovera Bazar near Rescue-1122 office and Kahuta cattle market is near Tanki Road near Chan Shah, Kahuta.

Taxila and Wah Cantt cattle markets were set up at G.T. Road Wah Cantt near Sharif Hospital Stop, HIT Taxila, Sunday Bazar Timber Market Road and POF near Wah Cantt.