Unhygienic meat shops goes unchecked in twin cities

ISLAMABAD: Unhygienic meat Shops in twin cities of Islamabad Rawalpindi are playing havoc with the public's health, which is causing different diseases among the citizens while the authorities concerned are silent over the issue.

Meat shops in almost all the markets of twin cities, which have been identified as a major source of environmental pollution in the surrounding localities due to insufficient cleaning arrangements.

Ashraf Ali a customer said that the garbage dump near the shops in the markets are being looked upon as a potential health hazard for citizens. He laments, "Garbage dumps have been placed in proximity to meat shops, thereby creating unhygienic conditions in the residential areas.

Umer Ikram another visitor at Abpara market said that the unbearable foul smells emanating from the filth has been compelling the people to pass by the shops with their nose covered.

Stray dogs and cats climb the garbage bins and rummage through the trash for their food, they scatter the filth all over the road, he said.

"Another local resident of G-6 said that "The authorities of the solid waste management seem to be least bothered about the presence of garbage bins near meat shops where it sold.

A meat vendor at the market said," garbage van regularly visits the place for collecting garbage, the stench is unbearable.

People are also responsible for the menace as domestic waste dumped by them is not being segregated into dry and wet garbage before throwing them into the bins.

Dr Baig at Polyclinic while talking to APP said that, "Garbage bins near the meat shops need to immediately relocated away from the market area posing serious health hazards for the citizens. An unhealthy food can cause disease and infections that can pose serious risk to the health of an individual.

There are several diseases like Hepatitis that can make the person suffer in terms of physical health as well as earnings.

When contacted to Director Health Services CDA, Spokesman said their health directorate had a close watch on unhygienic condition at meat shops.

"We have been conducting snap visits to the local markets.

The concerned for handling the solid waste management will be informed to take necessary preventive measures and to see to it that citizens are not inconvenienced due to the menace."