Supreme Court Judge Justice Ayesha A Malik has emphasised the urgent need to work on animal rights in Pakistan, highlighting the lack of constitutional and legal provisions for their welfare.
Speaking at a ceremony on animal rights held at a private hotel in Lahore, Justice Malik underlined the critical role animals play in society and called for collective efforts to safeguard their rights.
“Animals are very important for our society, and every living being has the right to live without fear,” she stated, stressing the moral and ethical obligation to protect animals. Justice Malik lamented that Pakistan lagged behind on this issue, pointing out the absence of laws specifically aimed at animal welfare.
She noted that while the Constitution mentions various rights, it does not explicitly address animal rights. “When it comes to animal rights, we are very behind on this issue. We all need to work together for it,” she urged.
Justice Malik’s remarks come amidst growing global awareness of animal welfare, underscoring the need for legislative reforms in Pakistan.