ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday turned down a plea of Al-Quresh Meet Sellers Association (AQMSA) regarding establishment of a new slaughter house in Islamabad.

A source in the CDA told Dawn that the Authority had refused to provide land for establishment of a new slaughter house in the capital. However, it assured the office-bearers of the Association that it would provide maximum facilities to the existing slaughter house at Sihala.

The AQMSA had submitted an application with the interior ministry demanding a new slaughter house in Islamabad. The Association had stated that the existing slaughter house was catering to the needs of the people of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. However, with the passage of time, it had become insufficient to meet the requirements of both the cities. It demanded of the ministry to establish a new slaughter house for the residents of Islamabad. In view of the plea, the ministry of interior had asked the Capital Development Auth-ority to consider the request of the Association, the source said.

Following the directives of the ministry, the CDA had convened a meeting with the office-bearers of the Association on Monday to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, the CDA chairman, Mir Laiq Shah, directed the administration of the Sihala slaughter house to inform the Authority about the facilities, it needed to improve the situation.

On the other hand, the residents of Humak and Sihala have been lodging complaints with the CDA regarding unhygienic conditions within and outside the slaughter house for the past few months. They said stinking smell arising due to boiling of animal wastes, including bones and blood, had made them sick. They have been demanding of the CDA to shift the slaughter house to some other deserted area.