Ban imposed on entry of vehicles loaded with sacrificial animals on motorways

The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) has barred vehicles carrying sacrificial animals from entering motorways ahead of Eidul Azha.

According to an official statement issued on Sunday, the motorway police said that overloaded, unfit and improperly loaded vehicles transporting animals often become a cause of traffic jams and serious road accidents.

Under the new measures, such vehicles will be redirected to alternative routes instead of being allowed onto motorways.

The statement noted that several accidents involving animal transport vehicles had occurred in previous years, causing heavy losses of life and property.

To ensure enforcement, the NHMP said the police in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been asked to establish checkpoints near motorway entry points and cattle markets.

Officials said the move is aimed at improving the safety and convenience of travellers during the Eidul Azha season.

The announcement comes as the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee is meeting for the sighting of the Zilhaj moon.