ISLAMABAD: The capital city, which was developed in 1960, is still without a slaughterhouse to provide certified meat to its residents.

However, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is going to hire services of a consultant for the project as its board will decide the bid of the firm on Friday.

The consultant will be hired for conducting a feasibility study as well as preparing a design and construct the abattoir. The consultant will also propose a business model for the project.

The CDA recently received bids from consultant firms and the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) turned out to be the lowest bidder.

“Yes, we have opened financial bids and Nespak is the lowest bidder,” said an officer of the CDA. He said the CDA board will take a decision about the consultant.

“Apparently, there is no reasons for the board to reject the bid as the chairman and members want to see the construction of the slaughterhouse as soon as possible,” the officer said.

He said once hired, the consultant firm will complete its work in three to four months and then the CDA will move for the construction.

On the other hand, in the absence of a slaughterhouse, butchers have been slaughtering animals in their houses or in open spaces without any certification.

The CDA has been discussing this issue for the last two decades but no practical step has been taken so far for start of the construction work

Around a decade ago, the CDA had decided to build a state-of-the-art slaughterhouse but could not make any headway except changing the proposed location thrice. Finally, a five acre plot was allotted in I-11/4 where the proposed slaughterhouse will be set up.

After formation of the local government in 2015-16, the project was given to Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI). But the MCI could not make any progress due to lack of funds and rules and regulations.

Last year, the project was given back to the CDA which got its approval from the Development Working Party.

“We are happy to know that CDA board is going to take up the bid acceptance issue for hiring the consultant,” said All-Pakistan Jamiatul Quresh Meat Welfare Association President Khurshid Qureshi. He said in the absence of a slaughterhouse the residents of Islamabad were forced to eat uncertified meat.

“We are hopeful that this year work on the long-neglected project will be started as Planning Minister Asad Umar, SAPM Ali Nawaz Awan and CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed have been taking interest in it,” he said.

He said Nespak had already designed slaughterhouses in Karachi and Lahore.

“It has good experience and we are hopeful they will design a state-of-the-art slaughterhouse in a short period of time,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2021