Buyers of sacrificial animals in Karachi have raised concerns about a municipal services tax being collected at the exits of cattle markets ahead of Eid ul Azha, leading to criticism of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
KMC staff have established collection points at various cattle market exits, preventing vehicles carrying animals from leaving until the tax is settled. Buyers are charged Rs300 for small animals and Rs600 for larger ones.
A senior KMC official, who wished to remain anonymous, called the tax collection unjustified, noting that the civic body already collects Municipal Utility Charges and Tax (MUCT) through monthly electricity bills.
The official argued that there is no justification for charging people again when a tax is already being collected.
Additionally, the official stated that KMC is not responsible for cleanliness in the city, which is under the jurisdiction of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, while MUCT is meant for infrastructure development and maintenance.
Regarding the situation at cattle markets, he mentioned that the veterinary department is not ensuring cleanliness or vaccinating animals.
“The veterinary department is neither maintaining cleanliness at cattle markets nor vaccinating animals. It is unclear what service this tax is being charged for”, he added.
KMC defends tax imposed at cattle markets in Karachi
A KMC spokesperson defended the tax collection, stating that the municipal services tax was approved by the KMC council and is only applied at markets established by the corporation.
Many buyers reported feeling forced to pay before they could leave.
Faizan Khan recalled being stopped by KMC personnel after purchasing a cow from the Northern Bypass market.
He said, “We were given a Rs600 slip and told we could not proceed unless we paid. We are already paying municipal taxes in our electricity bills, this is nothing but extortion.”
Read more: Karachi authorities launch crackdown on illegal cattle markets
