‘Gawala Colony’ to be set up at Rawat

Rawalpindi

Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has directed the heads of the city district governments in Punjab to evolve an action plan for resolving the issue of owners of milch animals, said Commissioner Imdadullah Bosal here on Wednesday.

Talking to this correspondent, the commissioner informed that in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan some seven years ago, the chief minister was determined to shift the cattle owners (‘gawalas’) from city areas. In this connection, he has directed heads of the city district governments in Punjab to evolve an action plan and submit it to him within one month.

Following the directives, work is underway to chalk out the action plan. As a first step, the Rawalpindi City District Government has formed a committee, headed by DCO Captain (r) Saqib Zafar, for selection of a site somewhere in Rawat.

The DCO has issued directions to the Rawal Town Tehsil Administration administrator for conducting a survey in Rawat for site selection. The survey work and selection of the site would be made in two weeks, the commissioner said.

He did not agree to a question that the decision of the apex court is not being implemented and ‘gawalas’ are being given a free hand to remain settled in city

areas. There is no truth in the claim, he said. Work is underway for resolving the issue, he said.

The residents of Arya Mohallah complained about the presence of cows and buffaloes in the densely-populated locality, creating unhygienic conditions. It has become difficult for people to live in the neighbourhood due to the presence of milch animals, said Mohammad Anwar, a resident of the locality.

The RTTA official spokesman said that the matter is not being resolved only due to political involvement. However, PML-N MNA Shakil Awan denied the claims and said that the ‘Gawala Colony’ would be set up at Rawat to resolve the matter.

Posted in: Islamabad