LAHORE: The city district will have five temporary sacrificial animals’ sale points to facilitate the trade of animals.

All five sale points will be made operational from May 28 on a no profit and no loss basis to facilitate the public at large, according to a senior official of the Punjab Cattle Market Management & Development Company (PCMMDC).

“Previously, the district administration used to set up temporary sale points in collaboration with the respective zonal/town municipal administrations. But this time, the government has assigned this task to PCMMDC, which has been already looking into affairs of permanent cattle markets across Punjab, including Shahpur Kanjran in Lahore — the province’s biggest Mandi,” the official explained while talking to Dawn on Tuesday.

“Shahpur Kanjran Cattle Market will also serve as the major sacrificial animal sale point in addition to the five temporarily planned ones.”

According to a letter issued by the Lahore DC, the places where the five temporary sale points are set to be made operational include Sports Complex (Adda Rakh Chebeel), LDA City near Sadhar Village Kahna Kacha (Defence Road), Mauza Nain Sukh near Saggian bridge, Barki Road near Paragon City and Raiwind near Haveli Markaz, opposite spinning mills, Sundar.

The aforementioned sale points falls in the jurisdiction of Wagah, Nishtar, Ravi, Cantt and Raiwind tehsils.

On the other hand, the Punjab government has issued a formal directive to all municipal bodies, waste management companies, and the PCMDDC to ensure effective arrangements at temporary sacrificial animals’ sale points and the existing cattle markets and cleanliness during Eidul Azha 2025.

The directive was issued by Local Government Department Secretary Shakil Ahmad Mian.

According to a letter, the operational, sanitary and supervisory staff will not be allowed to avail leave during the three days of Eid to ensure effective implementation of cleanliness, security, and other arrangements.

The directive also emphasised that all cattle markets will be fully operational 10 days prior to Eidul Azha. Like the previous year, these markets will be set up on a no profit, no loss basis to minimise financial burdens on the public while providing better facilities.

The district administrations have been instructed to establish sale points at designated places. The establishment of illegal markets or sale points will not be allowed under any circumstances. It further outlines that comprehensive security and cleanliness arrangements must be made at the sale points / cattle markets. Complaint cells will also be established for timely resolution of any issues.

Special loading/unloading areas, fodder points, toilets, and rest areas must be ensured to the animals.

Additionally, veterinary camps will be set up in collaboration with the Livestock Department to ensure animal health. The Health Department will also set up medical camps and provide ambulance services. For security, CCTV cameras will be installed at the markets, while parking areas and animal weighing points will also be arranged. To ensure smooth traffic flow, traffic police will be deployed at the entrance and exit points of the markets.

“All authorities must complete the arrangements in a timely and organized manner, ensuring that the public faces no difficulties during the Eid ul-Adha,” it seeks.

Meanwhile, the Lahore says that it has started preparations to ensure a smooth and convenient Eidul Azha for residents. In a meeting presided by the DC on Tuesday, the participants announced the establishment of five well-organised sale points across the city from 28 May until Eidul Azha to facilitate the purchase and sale of sacrificial animals. By collaborating with multiple departments, the participants pledged to providing top-notch facilities, ensuring safety, and maintaining cleanliness, making the religious observance hassle-free for Lahore’s residents.

The Punjab Cattle Market Company was assigned task of providing essential amenities, including tents, fodder, toilets, electricity, generators, and clean drinking water in all sale points. To enhance convenience, mobile ATMs, complaint cells, and information desks will be available at all markets.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2025