LAHORE:
Known for decades as a center for birds and pet sales, the Tollinton market has achieved a controversy after the recent decision of the Punjab government to close the renewal market.
Where the authorities are inflexible to close the market in an attempt to renew the sales center in compliance with international hygiene standards, the merchant’s community is anxious for the future of its business, which is its source of supreme income. The complex dispute arose after the government ordered merchants to relocate their businesses before June 30, without specifying an alternative site, leaving affected merchants in a state of uncertainty.
According to Mohammad Adnan Hashmat, owner of a bird store, Punjab’s wildlife authorities instructed merchants to redesign their points of sale to significant personal costs during the renewal process. “But now, we are told that we close and move elsewhere, which is unfair. The situation has led to anxiety among the merchant community, who claim that their decades are at risk due to this sudden change,” Hashmat said.
As reported, the Superior Court of Lahore has realized the issue and requested recommendations from a judicial commission. The court commented that the Tollinton market should serve as a model to improve similar markets in Punjab. However, merchants insist that their removal threatens their livelihoods and have appealed to Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene.
According to the Development Authority of Lahore (LDA), market reconstruction cost RS190 million. As part of the project, three model stores were completed, and the remaining suppliers received instructions to renew on their own, coinciding with the new standards.
The general director of LDA, Tahir Farooq, said that a management committee, including merchants, district administration and Punjab food authority, will supervise cleaning, waste management and meat sales, ensuring a strict implementation of new SOP.
The main minister, Marriyum Aurengzeb, during his visit to the market, declared that maintaining alive meat and animals in the same space violated international health regulations. “Therefore, pet stores are being eliminated, and only meat sale in the future will also be allowed. A new slaughterhouse is also being built near a drain for hygienic meat processing,” said Aurengzeb.
While the authorities see these steps as alignments with global standards, experts argue that establishing a chickens and a slaughterhouse in an occupied urban area could worsen traffic and public hygiene problems. They recommend decentralizing such facilities, noting that contaminated poultry meat has been repeatedly found in the city.
On the positive side, the renewed infrastructure, which includes flakes, marble roads and uniform lighting has improved the market environment. Some merchants have even welcomed the government’s initiative, saying that long -term improvements are possible with collaboration.
However, pet and bird merchants are still worried, citing the lack of relocation plans and continuous uncertainty. Merchants argue that without addressing these concerns, the vision of a model market will remain dark.
