LAHORE: The Punjab government will fully activate temporary cattle sale points across Punjab starting today (Sunday). It has also been decided that no fee will be charged for buying and selling sacrificial animals this year.
In this regard, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique chaired a meeting held on Saturday to review arrangements for Eid-ul-Azha. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian and concerned municipal officers attended the meeting via video link.
On this occasion, the local government department issued guidelines for Eid-ul-Azha, under which the holidays for municipal employees and Suthra Punjab Agencies workers have been cancelled until the last day of Eid.
While addressing the meeting, the Minister stated that the livestock markets and sale points managed by the Punjab Cattle Market Management Company will also provide facilities. At the same time, the municipal committee will establish temporary sale points in every city. He emphasised that illegal sale points and trading on roads must be strictly halted. “Monitoring staff on motorcycles or cars will patrol every city 24 hours. Announcements should be made through loudspeakers on rickshaws to guide the citizens,” he urged.
Rafique also said banners should be displayed at prominent locations regarding the facilities available at sale points. He warned concerned officers that action would be taken if any trader was found with animals outside the designated sale points. He instructed officials to brief the media on all Eid plans, emphasising that, based on experiences from the past two years, better performance should be demonstrated this time.
He added that eco-friendly bags should be distributed after surveying households offering sacrifices. “In addition, awareness camps should be set up in every union council where the bags should be distributed transparently,” he continued.
Rafique mentioned that arrangements should be made for the local burial of offal in villages; if space permits in cities, pits should be dug otherwise the offal should be shifted to dumping sites. “Green cloth should be demarcated around the collection points for the offal,” he noted.
He further stated that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved additional funds for Eid-ul-Azha. “Now it is our responsibility to utilise these resources effectively,” he reminded. “Immediate action should be taken on complaints received at the central and district control rooms. Also, special attention should be paid to places of collective sacrifice; offal should be collected promptly.” He warned that those who throw offal on roads or in drains will be fined.
During the meeting, the Secretary mentioned that municipal committees and Suthra Punjab Agencies will work collaboratively. He directed that no sales point should be established outside the designated locations notified by the Deputy Commissioner. “Provision of parking, water, and other facilities at every sale point must be ensured,” he added, warning against any laxity.
Meanwhile, the Lahore district administration of Lahore has mobilised its resources to ensure that the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festivities are marked by administrative excellence and public convenience.
In the provincial capital, five temporary sale points and one permanent Model Cattle Market at Shahpur Kanjran will officially begin full operations, managed by the Punjab Cattle Market Management and Development Company (PCMMDC). The temporary markets have been established at Saggian, Wagah Sports Complex, Burki Road, LDA City and Raiwind. However, animal arrivals and public visits have already started.
Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Captain Muhammad Ali Ijaz (R) visited the temporary cattle market established in Raiwind to review logistics, hygiene, and public safety.
During the site visit, he evaluated the implementation of the strategic traffic management plan and the deployment of security personnel designed to facilitate the massive influx of livestock traders and buyers from across the province.
On this occasion, he issued directives to the on-ground teams to maintain 100 percent attendance and mandated a zero-tolerance policy against any waste build-up, instructing the immediate deployment of additional janitorial staff to uphold the highest standards of sanitation.
He further emphasised that providing a hospitable environment is the administration’s top priority, directing the establishment of 24/7 facilitation desks and public complaint cells to resolve grievances related to overcharging or infrastructure deficiencies instantaneously.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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