FIRs will be filed as unregulated Eid livestock facilities disrupt traffic, sanitation and civic order.
KARACHI:
Illegal livestock markets that have mushroomed across the city ahead of Eidul Azha will now face criminal proceedings as the city administration goes beyond warnings and decides to register FIRs against those responsible for setting up unapproved livestock outlets.
A meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi on Saturday reviewed the ongoing efforts of deputy commissioners to dismantle such markets in response to public complaints. Officials evaluated operations aimed at eliminating unauthorized livestock markets established without planning or permission.
The deputy commissioners and deputy commissioners briefed the meeting on the law enforcement actions and stated that a total of 21 illegal livestock markets had been dismantled so far. These operations were carried out in various parts 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 the district-level measures included three sites in Karachi East, two in Karachi South, four in Karachi Central and two in Korangi.
Authorities informed the meeting that daily operations were carried out with police assistance. However, they added that vendors repeatedly return in small groups, occupying roadside spaces to resume informal sales, making law enforcement a constant challenge.
The meeting highlighted that effective action requires greater coordination between the police and municipal administrations. Commissioner Karachi highlighted that unauthorized and unplanned livestock markets were disrupting health systems and causing severe traffic congestion across the city, and called for immediate measures to address the problem.
It was decided that FIRs would be lodged against those responsible for setting up illegal cattle markets. The commissioner directed all city municipal administrations, police and traffic authorities to fully cooperate to eliminate unauthorized setups.
Officials noted that more than 21 duly planned livestock 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.
Separately, a review meeting on the implementation of price control was also held under the chairmanship of the commissioner, which reviewed actions against hoarding and price gouging 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 speculators, resulting in fines worth Rs 3.23 million. During this period, 20 stores were closed and six profiteers were arrested.
Deputy commissioners carried out inspections at 1,543 locations to monitor prices, the meeting was told. A comparative review of weekly law enforcement was also presented.
Between May 9 and 15, action was taken against 383 profiteers, imposing fines worth Rs 1.97 million, sealing 16 shops and arresting six violators, and inspections were carried out at 1,812 places.
From May 16 to 22, law enforcement teams penalized 295 profiteers with fines totaling Rs 1.26 million, while four shops were sealed during the period, in addition to continued price controls across the city.
