Karachi Administration Orders FIRs Against Illegal Cattle Markets Ahead of Eidul Azha

By Bilal Haider :

The administration in Karachi has decided to register criminal cases against individuals setting up illegal cattle markets across the city ahead of Eid al-Adha, intensifying a crackdown on unauthorised livestock sale points blamed for traffic congestion, sanitation problems and public inconvenience.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Saturday, where officials reviewed enforcement operations launched in response to growing complaints from residents regarding the rapid spread of informal cattle markets in residential and commercial areas.

Deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners informed the meeting that authorities had so far dismantled 21 illegal cattle markets operating in different parts of the city. Operations were carried out in areas including Jamshed Quarters, Saddar, New Karachi, Garden, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Liaquatabad and Orangi Town.

Officials said the largest number of removals took place in Orangi, where authorities dismantled markets from 10 separate locations. Additional enforcement actions targeted three sites in Karachi East, four in Karachi Central, two in Karachi South and two in Korangi district.

Authorities noted that anti-encroachment teams, assisted by police, were conducting daily operations. However, officials acknowledged that many vendors return shortly after crackdowns, re-establishing roadside sale points in smaller groups, creating a continuing enforcement challenge for the administration.

The commissioner stressed that stronger coordination between local governments, police and traffic authorities was necessary to prevent illegal markets from resurfacing. Officials warned that unregulated livestock markets were disrupting civic management systems, worsening traffic flow and creating sanitation concerns in densely populated neighbourhoods during the Eid season.

As part of the new measures, the administration decided that formal First Information Reports (FIRs) would now be registered against organisers and operators of unauthorised cattle markets. Municipal authorities, law enforcement agencies and traffic police were directed to cooperate fully in removing illegal setups and preventing their return.

Officials also informed the meeting that more than 21 officially approved and planned cattle markets had already been established across Karachi in coordination with relevant agencies to accommodate Eid-related livestock trading in a controlled manner.

Meanwhile, a separate meeting reviewed anti-profiteering and price control measures implemented across the city over the past two weeks. Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Rabia Syed presented a report showing that authorities had taken action against 678 profiteers between May 9 and May 22.

According to the report, fines amounting to Rs3.23 million were imposed during the period, while 20 shops were sealed and six individuals arrested for violations related to overpricing and hoarding.

Officials said enforcement teams carried out inspections at more than 1,500 locations across the city to monitor prices of essential commodities and ensure compliance with officially notified rates.

Between May 9 and May 15 alone, authorities fined 383 profiteers Rs1.97 million, sealed 16 shops and arrested six offenders following inspections at over 1,800 locations. During the following week, from May 16 to May 22, another 295 individuals faced penalties totaling Rs1.26 million, while four additional shops were sealed.

About Author