Animal cruelty prevalent at Lahore’s oldest market
Panel headed by commissioner to probe illegal trade and other irregularities
LAHORE:
Built by the colonial rulers for the purpose of displaying their industrial prowess, Lahore’s Tollinton, is infamous for filth, stench, and ill-treatment of animals. New revelations, adding to oldest market’s infamy, are the unabated trade of stolen animals and birds with the involvement of lower-ranking employees of various government departments.
An 11-member committee headed by Commissioner Lahore has been constituted to create bylaws for the market and bring forth much needed law and order.
Aniza Khan, head of the animal rights NGO Give Us Life Animal Welfare, a member of the committee, talking to The Express Tribune said that there were many mafias operating in the Tollinton rialto. She said the staffs of various government departments leak information regarding routine checking in advance and often the checking teams are threatened.