The Punjab government has decided to rely on private, modern slaughterhouses instead of government-run facilities to curb illegal slaughtering and provide safe meat to citizens.
According to reports, interested private investors will be registered, and veterinary doctors appointed by the government will supervise operations. Officials said violators will face heavy fines and potential imprisonment.
The decision comes in response to widespread illegal slaughtering in Lahore, where meat from sick or dead animals is reportedly sold due to insufficient slaughterhouse capacity.
Currently, Lahore, with a population exceeding 15 million, has only one official slaughterhouse at Shahpur Kanjran on Multan Road. Earlier, the city had three facilities, but only one modern plant was constructed decades ago, forcing many butchers to slaughter animals at homes or shops.
Under the new policy, multiple private slaughterhouses will be established in Lahore. Over 90 veterinary doctors and meat specialists will be recruited to conduct pre-slaughter health inspections and post-mortem examinations, ensuring that only healthy meat reaches the market. Diseased meat will be barred from sale.
The Punjab Local Government, Livestock Department, and Punjab Food Authority (PFA) are consulting to finalise the policy. DG Punjab Food Authority Asim Javed said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has instructed departments to ensure safe meat supply throughout the province.
“Legislation will also be introduced. With private sector cooperation, modern slaughterhouses staffed with veterinary specialists will conduct both pre-slaughter and post-slaughter inspections, ensuring only safe meat reaches consumers,” he added.
