The Rawalpindi district administration has banned the collection of sacrificial animal hides without explicit permission from the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

This measure aims to regulate the trade of animal remains during the Eid-ul-Azha festival. By centralizing oversight, the government seeks to prevent unauthorized entities from dominating the collection process and to ensure the trade is managed through official channels.

The ban specifically targets non-governmental organizations, trusts, and other entities. According to the administration, 95 organizations are prohibited from collecting hides [1]. These groups must now seek formal approval from the district's top administrative officials to operate legally during the religious holiday.

Officials said the restrictions are necessary to maintain order and prevent the unregulated movement of hides across the Rawalpindi district. The move comes as part of a broader effort to monitor the economic activity surrounding the festival and to ensure that the collection process does not disrupt public sanitation, or safety.

The administration has not specified the criteria for granting permissions to the affected organizations. However, the mandate applies to all entities regardless of their previous history of collection in the region. This shift places the Rawalpindi district under a strict regulatory framework for the duration of the festivities.

Local authorities said the ban is intended to stop the unauthorized trade of hides that often occurs during the peak of the festival. By requiring permits, the government can track which organizations are operating and ensure they adhere to district guidelines.

“The Rawalpindi district administration has banned the collection of sacrificial animal hides without explicit permission.”

This regulatory shift indicates an increasing effort by the Pakistani district administration to formalize the informal economy surrounding religious festivals. By restricting 95 organizations from collecting hides, the government is asserting control over a lucrative byproduct of the Eid-ul-Azha sacrifices, potentially to reduce the influence of unauthorized NGOs and trusts in the local trade market.