KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, keeping in view the upcoming Eidul Azha, has allowed setting up of sacrificial animal markets at approved/designated locations under strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be issued by the home department.

He took the decision while presiding over a meeting at CM House here on Wednesday, says a handout.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Labour Saeed Ghani, Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Health Secretary Kazim Jatoi, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani, Additional IG Ghulam Nabi Memon and senior officials of various departments.

The chief minister was told that other provinces had allowed setting up of such markets and cattle traders as well as those willing to organise the markets were approaching the authorities concerned in Sindh to seek permission.

The chief minister said that as a matter of fact, he was against granting the permission for setting them up due to threat of Covid-19 pandemic spread. However, he was granting the permission because a religious obligation was involved. He stressed on strictly following the SOPs as would be defined by the home department.

The CM said children would not be allowed to visit these markets. He also asked the health department to send its mobile teams to the markets to conduct Covid-19 tests of cattle traders, market organisers and visitors.

He directed the chief secretary to inform all divisional commissioners to designate areas, preferably out of cities/towns, for the markets within their respective areas.

He also directed all deputy commissioners and SSPs not to allow traders to sell their cattle on roads and in streets of cities/towns.

The CM directed LG Minister Syed Nasir Shah to designate UC-wise areas for sacrificing animals. “In such a serious situation of Covid-19, we cannot allow slaughtering of animals in each and every street. There must be an appropriate mechanism and designated areas for the purpose, he said.

Health Minister Dr Pechuho told the chief minister that the impact of coronavirus was on the decline but this did not mean that the pandemic was over. At this, the CM directed the health department to intensify testing in the hotspot areas. At least one person from each house must be tested in the areas where selective lockdown was imposed, he added.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2020