ISLAMABAD: Finally, Islamabad is inching towards developing a hygienic meat sector as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the federal government on Monday approved a budget for the establishment of a slaughterhouse.

It may be noted that in the absence of an abattoir, the capital administration had been accusing butchers of slaughtering animals without maintaining the hygienic conditions.

But meat sellers always pleaded that there was no dedicated place to slaughter the animals. Neither there was any recognised wholesale meat market in the city.

The meat sellers welcomed the decision of the CDA Central Development Working Party (CDA-CDWP) for approving Rs187.80 million for the PC-I of the slaughterhouse to be established in Sector I-9/4.

The abattoir to be set up in I/9-4 will be ready by end of current fiscal year

“This is a significant step towards developing an allied industry related to our field,” said Khursheed Qureshi, the president of Jamiatul Quraish Meat Welfare Association, Islamabad.

“There is a significant demand for many parts that go waste after the animal is slaughtered such as blood, intestines and horns. All these parts will fetch good money once this market is set up in the capital,” Mr Qureshi added.

However, the approval of the project is conditional with an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and a feasibility study by the engineering wing of the CDA.

The officials concerned, however, are confident that if all other matters proceed smoothly, both requirements would be completed in a month and Islamabad could have the slaughterhouse before the end of the current fiscal year.

“Islamabad was made a district in 1980 and now when there is a huge demand for meat both from domestic and commercial consumers, the city would have an organised meat market,” said Amer Ali, the member administration of the CDA.

He said the slaughterhouse would not work on a mechanised system but will be operated manually, utilising least amount of electricity but ensuring hygienic conditions.

“The mechanised systems are too costly and complicated to install and maintain. Besides, it will take a long time to install the machines,” Mr Amer said.

Currently, in the absence of any authorised mechanism, butchers slaughter cattle, sheep and goats in various parts of the city, especially Saidpur village, Tarlai, Golra, Bhara Kahu and Tarnol.

Besides, there is no confirmation where the meat being sold in the main markets comes from.

The CDA-CDWP also allowed the civic body to procure two funeral buses worth Rs10.8 million from its non-development budget.

The CDA presently has three buses but needs more due to the rising population.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2014