KARACHI:
People buying animals for Eidul Azha sacrifice face a fresh test as the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has started collecting “municipal services tax” at livestock market exit points, allegedly through coercive means.
KMC staff have reportedly set up checkpoints at the exits of several livestock markets and are not allowing vehicles carrying animals for slaughter to leave unless the tax is paid. Buyers are charged Rs 300 for small animals and Rs 600 for large animals.
A senior KMC official, requesting anonymity, termed the move unjustified and said the civic body is already collecting Municipal Service Charges and Taxes (MUCT) through electricity bills on a monthly basis. “When a tax is already being recovered, there is no justification to collect it again,” said the official, questioning the legality of the practice.
He further pointed out that the KMC is not responsible for cleaning operations in the metropolis as they come under the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, while MUCT is meant for infrastructure development and maintenance. “The veterinary department does not ensure cleanliness in livestock markets or vaccinate animals. It is not clear for what service this tax is charged,” he added.
However, a KMC spokesperson defended the move, stating that the municipal services tax has been duly approved by the KMC council and is collected only in the markets established by the corporation.
Contrary to this claim, a survey by The Express PAkGazette found that the tax is also collected at the Northern Bypass cattle market, which falls outside KMC’s jurisdiction.
Several people complained about being forced to pay the tax. Faizan Khan said KMC officials detained him after buying a cow at the Northern Bypass market. “They gave us a bill of Rs 600 and told us we couldn’t continue unless we paid. We are already paying council tax on our electricity bills; this is nothing more than extortion,” he said.
Similar complaints were reported by Kashan Tariq in Bhains Colony and Muhammad Mazhar in Kamran Chowrangi cattle market, who were charged Rs 600 and Rs 300, respectively.
Kashan said no such tax had been imposed in previous years. “As soon as the Zil Hajj moon was sighted, KMC officials took up positions at the market exits and started collecting the tax from each buyer,” he said.
People have urged authorities to take note of the situation and clarify the legal status of the tax, which many have described as an undue financial burden ahead of Eid.
