Karachi, In a meeting chaired by Sindh’s Chief Minister Justice (R) Maqbool Baqer, a comprehensive strategy was devised to control the dog population and prevent cruelty to animals. The meeting concluded with a decision to launch an awareness campaign and provide logistical support to facilitate the trapping and neutering of dogs.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the meeting at the Chief Minister’s House included discussions on various initiatives, with participation from Minister of Tourism and Environment Arshad Wali Muhammad, Chairman P and D Shakeel Manganijo, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahim Shaikh, and other high-ranking officials. Representatives from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Ayesha Chandragar Foundation (ACF), and various municipal departments were also present.
A key focus of the meeting was the Rabies Control Program. Secretary Municipalities Manzoor Shaikh briefed the Chief Minister on the program’s progress, highlighting effective measures to reduce human death rates due to rabies from animal bites, particularly dogs. Local bodies in 20 districts of the province have established centers for dog vaccination, with a target of vaccinating 125,000 dogs across these districts by June 2025. In Karachi, anti-rabies and vaccination centers are operational in several districts, with thousands of dogs already neutered and vaccinated.
ACF CEO Ayesha Chandragarh expressed her organization’s readiness to assist the government in dog population control, requesting vehicles for catching dogs. Responding to this, the Chief Minister directed the KMC Municipal Commissioner, Afzal Zaidi, to repair and allocate six old vehicles for ACF’s use.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister instructed Commissioner Karachi Salim Rajput and MCCMC Afzal Zaidi to inspect Safari Park, Karachi Zoo, and Korangi Zoo and provide suggestions for improvements. He also acknowledged ACF’s efforts in organizing medical camps for the treatment of donkeys and directed KMC to enhance awareness and care for donkeys, particularly in case of injuries.
Additionally, the Chief Minister instructed Secretary Fisheries and Livestock Hafeez Syal to activate the veterinary hospital near the Old Radio Pakistan Building on MA Jinnah Road and establish a camp for the treatment of street animals. He also expressed interest in visiting the camp after its establishment, underscoring his commitment to animal welfare initiatives in the province.