KARACHI: As usual every year, hundreds of authorized and unauthorized cattle markets are established across Karachi about two months ahead of Eid ul Adha as people rush to buy the best, most beautiful sacrificial animals. The Sindh government has issued a list of eight locations in Karachi where cattle markets will be set up.

 The cattle market set up by the Malir Cantonment Board which was previously located on the Super Highway has been set up at Taiser Town this year. The list of authorized cattle market locations in Karachi is as follows: Taiser Town, Northern Bypass, Malir 15, Asoo Goth, Cattle Mandi Landhi, Rice Godown, Landhi near Baber Market, Hamdard University near Manghopir, Moach Goth, Baldia Town, Cattle Mandi permitted by station commander in the limits of Clifton Cantonment Board, Cattle Mandi permitted by the president Karachi Cantonment Board in the limits of Karachi Cantonment Board.

 The cattle market has been set up on over 700 acres and the turnover is likely to cross Rs700 billion. Hence, the stake for sellers, buyers, administrators, transporters, brokers, and looters is equally attractive for the season. The market falls within the limits of two police stations – Gulshan-e-Maymar and Gadap City. Slum areas are scattered in the area where criminal gangs are said to be operating. Police sources say criminals in these areas used unpaved roads to get to the Northern Bypass and retreated to their hideouts after committing crimes. Before the arrival of buyers and people going there for entertainment, robbers have spotted the location as roads leading to the Northern Bypass Cattle Market are said to be infested with criminals, and a large number of people, including cattle farm owners, have already been deprived of their belongings while traveling there.

 A spokesperson for the cattle market set up by the Malir Cantonment Board at the Northern Bypass has said earlier that security had been tightened around the area. Contingents of police and Rangers have been deployed and eight security pickets have been set up on the route to the market, he said. In addition, security officials have been posted on the main intersections leading to the market. The West SSP said they had sought help from the Rangers and asked them to patrol the roads leading to the market. The police were not establishing any checkpoints on the side of the cattle market or the roads, but some points had been identified where effective checking measures would be taken, he added.

 Despite these statements, there are large numbers of complaints regarding robberies; hence people find it not only far away but also not safe to travel to. Individuals are narrating crime incidents en route to the cattle market. In one of such complaints, a man who claims to be a driver said three vehicles booked from Gulistan-e-Jauhar for a water park near the Northern Bypass came under attack by a group of 20 to 25 criminals who busted their tyres first and then robbed the picnickers. According to analysts in these circumstances the administration of the cattle market should be minutely observed and monitored for all sorts of complaints emerging from this mega event.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 30 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.