This was decided at a joint meeting of towns and union councils held here on Saturday with City Nazim Naimatullah Khan in the chair.
The meeting reviewed the ongoing meat crisis in the city owing to the strike by meat sellers over price issue.
The supplies would be managed by two leading meat exporters — M/s PK Livestock and M/s Pakistan Food Products. Their representatives quoted their price for mutton which was agreed upon by the City Nazim.
During the meeting, the MD of PK Livestock, Tariq Mehmood Butt, revealed that the meat market was in the control of a ‘mafia’ which has nothing to do with the profession or trade. He pointed out that president of the Meat Merchants Welfare Association (MMWA) was a broker by profession whereas its vice-president a jeweller and general secretary was owner of a four-star hotel.
According to a CDGK press release, he observed: “These people provide mutton at Rs88 per kg to government departments but are reluctant to sell the same to the general public even at Rs150 per kg.”
This particular group, he added, maintains full control of the MMWA and was least bothered about the miseries of common men. It has hijacked the entire meat business in the city and blocked entry of any outsider who would challenge its monopoly.
“We had made an abortive attempt in the past to provide quality meat to the citizens at reasonable price,” he said, and added that the attempt was thwarted by the mafia which appeared to be well-organized.
Mr Butt told the meeting that the slaughter houses of both the export firms were fully equipped with modern facilities. “We maintain our own farm and are in a position to supply quality meat at very competitive prices. The mafia would not allow anybody to come forward in the greater interest of the general public. If the government is ready to extend cooperation to us, we may provide sheep and goat meat at as low as Rs100 per kg.”
Mr Butt pledged that people would now be provided mutton at Rs135 per kg and beef at Rs10 lesser even than the rates prescribed by the government. He also undertook the responsibility on the part of both the exporters to cater to the entire needs of consumers in Karachi.
The meeting also discussed arrangements for a smooth supply and retail sales at Bachat Bazaars and outlets in different parts of the city. It also reviewed mobilization of volunteers by Town and UC Nazims in collaboration with Shabab-i-Milli for the purpose.
The meeting decided that mutton would be provided to the existing meat merchants also but only on the condition that they would sell it at Rs150 per kg.
The Nazim of Jamshed Town, Ahmed Parekh, said efforts were being made to reopen the meat market in Soldier Bazaar for the sale of meat being procured from the exporters.
MEASURES: Speaking at the meeting, City Nazim Naimatullah Khan announced that permission had been given for slaughtering of animals on community basis. He said that no more meatless days would be observed during the rest of Ramazan.
The Nazim remarked that Karachi had been held hostage by a very strong mafia connected with meat business. “But I am well-versed with tactics to fight such mafias off.”
Naimatullah Khan declared that he was not at all impressed by protest rallies and strikes by meat merchants because he had the support of Karachiites on his tough stand on price issue.
He observed that sane elements within the Qureishi community were now perturbed over the mafia-enforced strike as they were being deprived of their livelihood due to the MMWA’s unfair means.
Mr Khan maintained that he tried his level best to convince the association to have a reasonable approach on the issue. However, he said, its representatives, instead of considering his request, tried to provoke him and walked out of the meeting. Later, he said, they approached him at his residence again with a proposal that mutton price be fixed at Rs170 per kg as against the official price of Rs150 per kg. In exchange, they offered acceptance of the official prices of other meat varieties. The Nazim said that their offer was turned down. He said they provide meat to exporters at Rs130 per kg but refused to sell it to people at Rs150 per kg.
It has now become quite clear that those indulged in bargaining with the government do not represent the real meat traders, but they are members of a mafia which is out to gain benefits for itself, the Nazim observed.
Naib Nazim Tariq Hassan told the meeting that his decision taken during a meeting with the MMWA representatives was in line with city government’s effort to provide relief to the general public. However, he added, the decision was withdrawn when people did not welcome it. He said that he fully supported the decisions taken by the City Nazim.
Mr Naimatullah Khan declared that he not only would purchase meat from the stalls set up by the city government but also sell meat himself on such a stall.
The Nazims of towns and union councils called for stern action against any mafia man who tried to enforce the strike or intimidate the meat sellers or volunteers manning the meat stalls. They said that they would make arrangements for the purchase of mutton as well as beef from the exporters for onward sale to customers at stalls.