There is no doubt about the fact that corruption in Pakistan creeps into every department and industr
LAHORE: Thinking about animal cruelty or animal rights in a developing country like Pakistan is often frowned upon. As many consider the concept to be either Western or less important in the face of much ‘bigger’ problems such as poverty, illiteracy and corruption. If that is the case, then the recent news of Public Health Department of Lahore stacking away millions of dollars that were provided to them to cull the dogs on the streets may attract much attention.
The news came after Muhammad Sibtain Khan, deputy opposition leader, submitted an adjournment motion in the Punjab Assembly, alleging that corruption took place during the drive to cull stray dogs. According to Mr Khan, the department was provided money to cull dogs but no proof of it, in the form of depositing empty bullets shells, was provided.
There is no doubt about the fact that corruption in Pakistan creeps into every department and industry, from low to top level, and a probe should be made into this matter. However, a better way to deal with the growing population of dogs is to give the same amount of money worth millions of rupees to animal shelters. These organisations cannot only expand their space to accommodate more dogs but also neuter them to control their population. A policy that considers the welfare of the animals should be formulated immediately across Pakistan.
Sabiha Mehmood
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2017.
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