ISLAMABAD: Following the prime minister’s direction, the government has formed a committee for prevention of cruelty to animals, to review incidents of brutality and to propose measures to strengthen legal and institutional framework for their protection and rehabilitation.
According to a document seen by Dawn, the committee will be headed by Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik. Its members are: Minister of State of Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry, wildlife activist Syed Rizwan Mehboob, Secretary National Commission on the Status of Women Humaira Zia Malik, animal rights activist Anila Umair besides the chairman of Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the inspector general forests.
The committee will assess and map illegal wildlife trade and trafficking routes, recommend stronger enforcement against poaching and smuggling and develop monitoring systems consistent with national and international conservation standards.
It will also finalise recommendations to launch national awareness campaigns on animal welfare and responsible ownership, promote coordination among government agencies, NGOs and international partners and integrate animal welfare into education, health and urban planning policies.
After consultations and data collection, recommendations will be submitted for consideration, says climate change ministry
The committee will also assess the situation of stray animal populations and recommend humane control measures through sterilisation, vaccination and community engagement.
When contacted, Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, media spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, said the committee on the prevention of cruelty to animals was constituted by his ministry on the directions of the prime minister to undertake a comprehensive review of animal welfare issues in Pakistan and propose actionable reforms to address animal cruelty in the country.
Following its notification, the committee held its first meeting under the chairmanship of Dr Musadik Malik on April 29. The meeting reviewed the existing situation concerning animal welfare, wildlife protection, stray animal management, illegal wildlife trade and the legal and institutional challenges affecting effective enforcement of relevant laws.
He said during the meeting the minister directed the committee to collect baseline data from all provinces and relevant stakeholders, review the existing legal and institutional framework and formulate recommendations for strengthening animal welfare mechanisms across the country.
According to the official, “In line with these directions, consultations with provincial governments, public sector institutions, civil society organisations, animal welfare experts and activists were underway to ensure that the committee’s recommendations are evidence-based, practical, nationally representative and implementable.”
He added that given the nationwide scope of the assignment and the minister’s directions to obtain baseline data and stakeholder input from all provinces, the committee’s work had extended beyond the initial timeline to ensure that its recommendations are comprehensive and grounded in evidence.
The committee’s work is progressing positively, the official said, adding, “Upon completion of consultations and data collection, a comprehensive set of recommendations will be finalised and submitted to the federal government for consideration.”
He said the ministry remained committed to promoting the humane treatment of animals, strengthening animal welfare governance, preventing cruelty against animals through appropriate legal, institutional and policy measures, and enhancing public awareness and sensitisation on animal welfare issues.
Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026
