Tollinton Market Closure Sparks Uproar Among Pet Traders in Lahore

The Punjab government’s decision to close Lahore’s historic Tollinton Market for renovations has triggered serious unrest among pet and bird traders, who have not been offered a relocation plan despite a June 30 deadline for evacuation.

A longtime hub for exotic birds, pets, and animal-related commerce, Tollinton Market now faces a transformation aligned with international hygiene standards. However, traders say the change comes at the cost of their livelihoods, with no support or alternative site provided for continuation of their businesses.

Mohammad Adnan Hashmat, a shopkeeper, expressed frustration, revealing that traders were earlier instructed to renovate their shops at their own expense — only to now be told to vacate entirely. “This decision is not just disruptive, it’s unjust,” he said, highlighting widespread anxiety among the market’s community of small business owners.

The Lahore High Court has taken notice of the situation and asked a judicial commission to submit recommendations, remarking that Tollinton should set a precedent for other markets in Punjab. But traders fear their removal is imminent and have appealed directly to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for intervention.

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has allocated Rs190 million for market reconstruction. According to LDA DG Tahir Farooq, the project involves a management committee and implementation of new SOPs for cleanliness and meat regulation. While three model shops have already been completed, all remaining traders are expected to self-fund renovations.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb defended the decision, citing health concerns over keeping live animals and meat together. She confirmed that the market will no longer host pet shops and will be dedicated solely to meat sales, with a slaughterhouse under construction nearby.

Health experts have raised concerns about building such a facility in a dense urban area, pointing to traffic and contamination risks. They recommend relocating slaughterhouses to peripheral zones.

Despite upgrades like tiled flooring, improved lighting, and better infrastructure, most pet shop owners are uncertain about their future. While a few traders have cautiously supported the improvements, many insist that without a solid relocation plan, the market’s redevelopment risks becoming another bureaucratic failure at the expense of working-class livelihoods.