Caging animals for public entertainment is cruel: Hamza Ali Abbasi

Popular actor Hamza Ali Abbasi has always been the one to speak up his mind whenever he feels injustice is being committed. In a recent tweet, the Alif actor brought attention to the inhumane ways animals are being treated in zoos, especially in Pakistan.

Abbasi referenced a recent ruling by the Islamabad High Court that deemed zoos as "no less than concentration camps". "Islamabad High Court rules that Zoos are concentration camps for non-human living beings. It's true. Caging animals for public entertainment is cruel and evil. Pakistan has a chance to earn respect of the world and make God happy by freeing all the animals in captivity and close all Pakistani zoos. Please!" Abbasi wrote in his tweet.

Adding on, Abbasi urged fans to raise their voices against zoos in Pakistan. "If you agree, please be the voice for those who can't speak for themselves and make this hashtag trend for as long as we can so maybe someone in the decision-making arena may listen especially after IHC ruling. #CloseAllPakZoos," he said.

Like Abbasi, actor Mehwish Hayat earlier this week had raised her voice against the mistreatment of animals in zoos. "In a country where we’re still fighting for human rights, animal rights are a long way off. But come on, why do we only take action when foreign celebrities get involved? This is so embarrassing. Animals are born free- the authorities must shut these zoos now!" she said.

The only zoo in Pakistan's capital -- which drew international condemnation for its treatment of lonely elephant Kaavan -- closed on Wednesday after its final occupants were relocated abroad.

Two Himalayan bears named Bubloo and Suzzee were the last to leave the Islamabad facility, almost three weeks after the country's only Asian elephant was flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia.

"The Islamabad zoo is now completely closed for both public and officials," Saleem Shaikh, a spokesman for Pakistan's ministry of climate change told AFP.

"Both the bears will be flown to a sanctuary in Jordan."

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