Ahead of Eidul Azha, the Punjab government has prohibited several activities “injurious to public health” and that also disturb public peace under Section 144 from May 27 to June 2.

A notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, dated May 19, said that during Eidul Azha, people sit by the roadside and roast the heads and feet of sacrificial animals, which caused “unhealthy smoke” and an unpleasant smell.

It said that people also throw the entrails of sacrificial animals by the roadside and or in drains, which resulted in unsanitary conditions and the blockage of the sewerage system. It stated that citizens also swim and bathe in canals, ponds, lakes, river banks, and distributaries during Eidul Azha holidays, which may endanger their lives.

It further stated that cattle sellers illegally set up points for the sale of sacrificial animals within populated areas, which hindered traffic and contributed to the spread of diseases.

The Home Department said that the aforementioned activities “are not only injurious to public health and safety, but also cause nuisance and resentment among the general public, which are likely to cause disturbance in public peace and tranquillity”.

Therefore, the government prohibited burning of the heads and feet of sacrificial animals in public places; swimming or bathing in rivers, lakes, dams, etc; throwing offal or entrails of sacrificial animals in manholes, drainage channels or canals; and sale or purchase of sacrificial animals at any place other than notified cattle markets.

It mentioned that the Home Department secretary had prohibited the activities under Section 144 (6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, with effect from May 27 to June 2 across the province.

It is worth mentioning that Eidul Azha will be celebrated in Pakistan on May 27.