KARACHI: More than a week has passed since Eidul Azha, yet the foul smell emanating from animal offal and sacrificial waste continues to linger across large parts of the metropolis, affecting residents in almost every district.

The persistent stench appears to stem from two major factors: in some areas, animal remains are still lying unattended at garbage collection points and open spaces, while at many locations where waste has been removed, authorities have failed to properly clean the sites or apply sufficient quantities of lime to neutralise the odour.

For many residents, the issue has gone beyond inconvenience. They say the smell has not only disturbed their peace of mind but has also disrupted their daily and social lives.

Citizens complain that offal was removed from several locations after a considerable delay, while in many places animal remains can still be found decomposing in the open.

Citizens feel it hard to breathe, worst-hit are those living close to garbage collection points; many localities remain littered with chopped off animal heads, bones and other refuse

They say that breathing fresh air has become difficult as the smell has permeated large parts of the city.

Residents in several localities across District Central, West, East, South and Korangi complained of a lingering stench from decomposing sacrificial waste, while Dawn also observed similar conditions in a number of areas visited during a survey.

At numerous locations, road medians are littered with animal remains, including severed cattle heads and other waste left behind after Eid sacrifices. Besides contributing to the foul odour, such waste poses potential public health risks.

Residents point out that the presence of a foul odour is understandable where offal is still lying in the open. However, they question why locations from which waste has already been removed continue to emit a strong smell.

A survey across areas

During visits to various neighbourhoods in District Central on Thursday, including Nazimabad, Dawn observed animal remains still present at several garbage collection points.

The decomposing waste was not only causing discomfort to residents but also to passers-by. Complaints of headaches, nausea and general unease linked to the foul smell were common among people living or working in the vicinity.

A similar situation was observed along the road stretching from Karimabad towards Teen Hatti and onward to Guru Mandir. While animal waste had been removed from most garbage points in the area, the lingering odour continued to trouble commuters and pedestrians.

Residents living near garbage collection sites appeared to be suffering the most, facing the smell around the clock. However, even homes located at a distance were not entirely spared from its effects.

Around Numaish, residents and commuters also complained of a persistent foul smell. They said locations from which waste had been removed appeared not to have been adequately cleaned during the cleanup operation.

The situation in Orangi Town was no different.

During visits to various neighbourhoods, Dawn found animal remains still lying at several locations. In Sector 15-C, animal waste was found along the boundary walls of a government girls’ college, raising concerns among residents about potential health hazards.

Citizens voice frustration

A refrigerator repair technician living in Orangi Town described how the smell had begun affecting everyday life.

“Forget about stepping outside to enjoy fresh air,” he told Dawn. “Even sitting at the dining table inside the house has become difficult. Last night, when I started eating dinner, I thought the curry had gone bad because of the smell. When I mentioned it to my sister and other family members, they told me the smell wasn’t coming from the food. It was coming from outside. There are three garbage dumping points within about 500 metres of our house, and the stench from them continues day and night.”

He said breathing comfortably in the city had become increasingly difficult.

Near Lasbela Chowk, a woman walking along a footpath was seen covering her nose while passing a decomposed cattle head lying by the roadside.

She criticised both residents and civic authorities. “People should never have dumped animal waste anywhere other than designated collection points,” she said. “But if people have done so, where is the administration? Why aren’t officials visiting neighbourhoods to check whether post-Eid cleanup operations have actually been completed?”

Zeeshan, who works as a product supplier for a private company and travels across the city daily, said the foul odour remained noticeable in many parts of Karachi despite it being more than a week since Eidul Azha.

“Whether in upscale neighbourhoods or in District West and District Central, hardly any area appears to be completely free from the stench”, he said.

As residents in several neighbourhoods continued to complain of foul odours and uncollected waste, questions remained over whether post-Eid cleanup operations had been completed to a satisfactory standard in all parts of the city.

What experts say

According to experts, merely removing sacrificial waste is often insufficient to eliminate foul odours because blood, fat and other organic matter can seep into road surfaces and surrounding soil.

They recommend thoroughly washing affected areas, using disinfectants, bleach or lime, and ensuring the prompt removal and disposal of organic waste.

The experts note that poor waste management can contribute to the spread of vector-borne diseases, particularly in environments where insects and pests are allowed to breed unchecked.

SSWMB version

Responding to concerns about lingering foul odours and reports of animal remains in some localities, Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) Managing Director Tariq Nizamani said the post-Eidul Azha offal dumping operation had been highly successful this year.

Speaking to Dawn, he said the board’s performance during the Eid cleanliness campaign had been appreciated by the Karachi Mayor as well as several town chairmen.

Addressing reports of animal remains being found at certain locations, he said that if residents came across any locations where sacrificial waste or offal had not been removed, they could lodge complaints through the board’s helpline or mobile application. Such complaints, he added, would be addressed on a priority basis.

The board receives between 40 and 50 complaints daily, which are addressed within 24 hours, he added.

He said the board had carried out fumigation in various localities and applied lime powder at multiple locations as part of post-Eid sanitation measures aimed at preventing the spread of foul smells and unsanitary conditions.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2026