Islamabad, Pakistan has achieved a significant milestone in wildlife conservation by being elevated to Category I status under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This advancement underscores Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to preserving endangered species and regulating international trade in wild fauna and flora.

According to Press Information Department, Pakistan, as a dedicated signatory to CITES, an intergovernmental treaty under the United Nations, has been actively involved in conserving wildlife through stringent regulation of imports and exports of endangered species. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, in collaboration with the Wildlife Departments of Provinces and Pakistan Customs, has played a crucial role in these conservation efforts.

A key factor in Pakistan’s elevation to CITES Category I is the implementation of the Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012. This specific legislation demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable and responsible trade practices, focusing on the protection and well-being of endangered species.

CITES categorizes its member countries into three levels (Category I, II, and III) based on the effectiveness of their national legislation in implementing the Convention. After a comprehensive review process, Pakistan’s conservation measures and legislative framework received recognition, allowing the country to progress from Category II to the prestigious Category I. This achievement, announced during the 77th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee on November 8, 2023, affirms that Pakistan’s legislative measures align with the highest standards for the implementation of CITES.

Pakistan’s elevation to Category I is a testament to its unwavering dedication to wildlife conservation and marks a significant step forward in the global effort to safeguard endangered species and their habitats.