ISLAMABAD: The capital administration has imposed a ban on sale, purchase, movement and presence of sacrificial animals in bulk in the capital for a week to prevent spread of contagious diseases and obstruction to traffic flow.

An order issued from the office of the District Magistrate stated that it has been brought to the notice that before Eidul Azha, there is a mass influx of sacrificial animals in bulk in the jurisdiction of capital for the purpose of sales and purchase. Although, the government has notified areas for the purpose of cattle markets, certain sellers disregard designated areas and move sacrificial animals in bulk within the jurisdiction of capital, it added.

This influx of sacrificial animals on roads, green belts, and empty plots in the capital pose not only a health hazard by spread of contagious diseases but they are also a source of obstruction to traffic flow, traffic accidents, annoyance and injuries to public at large and danger to human life, it said, adding that there are sufficient grounds for proceedings under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1898 and immediate prevention is necessary and the directions hereinafter appearing are necessary.

In exercise under section 144 CrPC do hereby prohibit any kind of sale/purchase, movement and presence of sacrificial animals in bulk in the capital, except in the areas specified for the said purpose by the administration, the statement added. The order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for a period of seven days.

Over the violation of ban, the capital police arrested 14 people and registered a case against them on under section 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) at Tarnol police station for further legal procedure, the police said.

Earlier, they were found involved in selling sacrificial animals on G.T Road, the police said, adding these sellers were asked to move but they refused and argued with the official.

As a result, they were arrested and shifted to the police station along with animals and put behind bars after registration of the case, they added.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2023