FIRs to be filed as unregulated Eid breeding facilities disrupt traffic, sanitation and civic order
KARACHI:
Illegal livestock markets that mushroomed in the city ahead of Eidul Azha are now facing criminal charges as the city administration goes beyond warnings and decides to register FIRs against those responsible for setting up unlicensed livestock trading outlets.
A meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi on Saturday reviewed the ongoing efforts by deputy commissioners to dismantle these markets in response to public complaints. Authorities assessed operations to remove unauthorized livestock markets established without planning or authorization.
The Deputy Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners briefed the meeting on the enforcement measures, saying a total of 21 illegal livestock markets had been busted so far. These operations were carried out in several areas of the city, including Jamshed Quarters, Saddar, New Karachi, Garden, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Liaquatabad and Orangi.
Officials noted that in Orangi alone, markets were removed from 10 different locations, while district-level actions included three locations in Karachi East, two in Karachi South, four in Karachi Central and two in Korangi.
The authorities informed the participants that daily operations were carried out with the assistance of the police. However, they added that sellers regularly return in small groups, occupying roadside spaces to resume informal sales, making enforcement of the rules an ongoing challenge.
The meeting highlighted that effective action requires stronger coordination between police and municipal administrations. Commissioner Karachi pointed out that unauthorized and unplanned livestock markets were disrupting sanitation systems and causing severe traffic jams in the city, calling for immediate measures to resolve the issue.
It was decided that FIRs would be lodged against those responsible for setting up illegal cattle markets. The commissioner directed all municipal administrations, police and traffic authorities to cooperate fully in removing unauthorized installations.
Officials noted that more than 21 properly planned cattle markets have already been established in the city in consultation with relevant agencies. However, the proliferation of informal markets continues to create civic disruption and inconvenience for residents.
Furthermore, a review meeting on the application of price controls was also held under the chairmanship of the commissioner, who examined anti-hoarding and anti-price gouging actions over the past two weeks.
Headquarters Deputy Commissioner Rabia Syed submitted a detailed report stating that between May 9 and 22, action was taken against 678 profiteers, resulting in fines amounting to Rs 3.23 million. During this period, 20 stores were sealed and six profiteers arrested.
Deputy commissioners conducted inspections at 1,543 sites to monitor prices, the meeting was told. A comparative review of the weekly app was also presented.
Between May 9 and 15, action was taken against 383 profiteers, imposing fines of Rs 1.97 million, closing 16 stores and arresting six violators, with inspections carried out at 1,812 locations.
From May 16 to 22, enforcement teams fined 295 profiteers totaling Rs 1.26 million, while four stores were closed during the period, alongside ongoing price checks across the city.
