RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: As many as 12 cattle markets will be set up in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for sale of sacrificial animals.

In Rawalpindi, the district administration on Monday allocated eight sites for sale and purchase of sacrificial animals which will be activated within two to three days while in Islamabad the district administration has so far come up with a cattle market in I-12, and some other locations in Islamabad. However, the traditional mandi in sector I-15 has not been set up as yet.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that the selling of sacrificial animals shall not be allowed anywhere in the district other than the designated sale points.

He said that all departments concerned would make sure that spray, pesticides, and fire brigade vehicles are available in the market round the clock. He also directed traffic police to chalk out a traffic plan in order to avoid traffic congestion along sale points.

As per details, in Tehsil Rawalpindi, three sale points have been set up-- one at Bhatta Chowk near Koh-i-Noor mills Rawalpindi, the other at Mouza Ranyal near Fatima Jinnah University Campus Chakri road and the third one at Kallar Syedan Road near Mankiyala Bridge, Rawalpindi.

In Tehsil Gujar Khan, a sale point has been established near Slaughterhouse Gulyana Road Gujar Khan. In Tehsil Taxila, two sale points have been established at HIT near Sunday Bazaar, Timber Market Road and near Sharif Hospital Stop G.T. Road Wah Cantonment. Tehsil Kallar Syedan has one sale point at Mangal bypass. Tehsil Kahuta has established its sale points near Chan Shah Jalyar Tangi Road Kahuta.

Besides I-12, the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) of CDA has auctioned space for cattle market in Sangjani area, Zia Masjid along expressway and Bhara Kahu.

An official said that DMA will fetch millions of rupees from four cattle markets in Islamabad as it has auctioned 1-12 mandi against Rs52.2 million, Sangjani against Rs47 million, Bhara Kau against Rs1.5 million. Whereas, it has received bid of Rs 23 million for I-15 mandia (where every year main mandi is setup).

This year, the DMA received low bid of this mandi as compared to last year and officials said to meet the auction target, the I-12 mandi was set up. “Accumulated revenue from cattle markets is far high than the previous year,” an official of DMA claimed. Asked about 1-15 mandi, the official said that successful bidder had been given go-ahead to setup cattle market over there. “There is no delay on our part,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2025