Islamabad: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, chaired the inaugural meeting of the Committee on Cruelty to Animals in Islamabad. The meeting aimed at developing a comprehensive framework to enhance animal welfare, assess incidents of animal cruelty, and devise preventive measures.

According to Press Information Department, the Committee was formed following the Prime Minister’s directive and is tasked with reviewing the legal framework, improving enforcement systems to curb illegal wildlife trade, and promoting humane management of stray animals. The meeting addressed challenges such as weak inter-institutional coordination, inadequate veterinary infrastructure, and poor enforcement of existing regulations.

Participants were informed of Pakistan’s vulnerability to wildlife trafficking, with species like falcons and primates being trafficked through illegal networks. Efforts like the TNVR drive for stray dogs by the Capital Development Authority and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad were noted, though a broader volunteer engagement was deemed necessary.

Concerns about illegal animal fighting rings and the glorification of cruelty through social media were also raised. Dr. Malik called for baseline data collection from all provinces and emphasized the need for public education and collaboration with provincial governments to achieve meaningful progress in animal welfare. The meeting included officials from various ministries and representatives from civil society and animal welfare groups.