LAHORE: The Lahore district administration has established six designated cattle markets across the city ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, aiming to ensure safe, clean, and well-organized transactions for the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province to regulate festive activities and maintain public safety from June 5 to June 11.
The six cattle markets include one permanent site at Shahpur Kanjran and five temporary markets located at Haveli Markaz near Spring Mill (Raiwind zone), Sports Complex near Adda Rakh Chabeel (Wahga zone), LDA City near Kana Kacha on Defence Road (Nishtar zone), Mouza Nain Sukh near Saggian Bridge (Ravi zone), and Burki Road near Paragon City (Cantonment zone).
According to district officials, the initiative is designed to facilitate both animal traders and buyers by providing essential facilities and a hygienic environment. The Punjab Cattle Market Management Company is overseeing operations and has ensured the availability of tents, fodder, toilets, shaded rest areas, mobile ATM units, complaint cells, and information desks at all sites.
Additional services include clean drinking water, power supply via standby generators, and sanitation services.
To support the initiative, the Punjab Police have been assigned to provide security at all markets, while the traffic police will manage vehicular movement. The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has been tasked with ensuring cleanliness, especially at high-traffic markets such as the Saggian site.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza visited Kacha Bakra Mandi on Saturday to review on-ground operations. Accompanied by the Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore and the Assistant Commissioner of Nishtar Town, the DC inspected key facilities, including water access, sanitation, animal shelters, and parking arrangements.
He directed officials to promptly address any service gaps and maintain high operational standards throughout the Eid period.
In a related development, the Punjab Home Department issued a notification enforcing Section 144 across the province from June 5 to June 11 to safeguard public health and safety during Eid festivities. The restrictions prohibit the sale of animals outside approved cattle markets, the public burning of animal parts (such as siri paaye), and the dumping of offal or waste into drains, canals, or manholes.
Additional restrictions include bans on swimming and boating in rivers, canals, lakes, and dams, as well as the public display of weapons. The provincial government has also barred banned organizations from collecting animal hides.
Only those registered with the Punjab Charity Commission are permitted to engage in hide collection.
Authorities have been instructed to strictly enforce these measures to prevent environmental degradation, ensure peaceful celebrations, and protect citizens from health and safety hazards.
