Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Thursday said action had been taken against those who did not abide by the government’s code of conduct on hides’ collection during the three days of Eidul Azha, with 356 people arrested and over 18,000 animal hides confiscated. Of those arrested, 288 individuals were handed over to the police, 32 were released, while 36 individuals are being interrogated for involvement in serious crimes, said the paramilitary force in a press release. In order to avoid competition of collecting hides of sacrificial animals during the Eid days among different political and religious parties, social organisations, welfare institutions and religious seminaries in the province, the Sindh government had notified a code of conduct. Where the hides of the sacrificed animals are concerned, though, there is another situation since the numbers in which they are produced, as well as the need of tanneries and other industries for them, means they are as good as cash in hand.While their disposal may be an issue for the average citizen, this is not the case for organisations that every year put up banners and create collection points in every city. These groups include many that have been banned or are suspected of indulging in problematic religious, political or sectarian activities, yet they continue to operate. This raises the problem of cash from the sale of sacrificial hides being used for the purposes of crime and terrorism.In lawless Karachi, there is the added challenge of criminals seeing Eid as an opportunity to snatch hides at gunpoint. City and law-enforcement authorities are working on the issue and the incidence of this crime has come down in Karachi since the clean-up of the city began. But a much more stringent effort must be made.
pk.shafaqna.com
