Continue measures to curb stray dogs, DMCs told

SHC directs FIA to satisfy court on how two institutions can carry out inquiry into NICVD funds

KARACHI:

DMCs told The Sindh High Court directed the district municipal corporations and cantonment boards on Wednesday to continue their efforts to control stray dogs.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Amjad Ali Sahito, was hearing a plea pertaining to the abundance of stray dogs and unavailability of anti-rabies vaccines (ARVs).

During the hearing, the local government secretary informed the court that a draft for legislation in this regard has been prepared and was sent to the law department for approval.

Dog-bite cases are still emerging in Larkana, remarked Justice Mazhar. What would an FIR lodged for dog-bite cases do when the canines cannot be killed because non-governmental organisations come forth for animal rights, he asked.

The court was informed by an animal rights lawyer that the Supreme Court has suspended the orders passed by the SHC Sukkur bench.

Following which, the court asked the local government secretary about efforts made thus far for shelter homes for dogs.

To this, the secretary replied that shelter homes have been set up and stray dogs will be kept there. He informed the court that a committee, headed by the Karachi commissioner, has been formed to take suggestions from individuals in the field.

At this, the court observed that keeping 500,000 dogs in shelter homes was tantamount to imprisoning them.

“Dogs who are infected by rabies should be killed,” remarked Justice Sahito.

Justice Mazhar enquired as to what the cantonment boards were doing in this regard.

The court was informed that it would take three months to complete the procurement programme of PC-I.

The bench observed that the number of stray dogs in rural and urban areas would increase as it was their breeding season.

During the hearing, the court was informed by the assistant advocate-general that bylaws would be presented in the Sindh Cabinet meeting.

The bench directed the authorities to get approval within 10 days for the provision of funds after the committee submits its recommendations. Besides, the authorities were directed to publish tender notices in newspapers for the provision of ARVs and complete work pertaining to procurement within three months.

The court sought a progress report from the authorities within 45 days and directed all DMCs and cantonment boards to continue their efforts to control stray dogs.

NICVD

Hearing a plea challenging the Federal Investigation Agency’s inquiry into the National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases funds, the court sought arguments from the parties.

The petitioner - NICVD administration - has contended that the health facility is a provincial institution and hence the federal agency’s inquiry into its affairs is illegal.

The Sindh advocate-general appeared before the court.

During the hearing, the investigation officer maintained that the NICVD administration was not providing the records needed for the investigations. Despite being notified several times the administration is not recording their statement either, he stated.

The IO prayed the court to direct the NICVD administration to cooperate in the investigations.

On the other hand, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the National Accountability Bureau was already investigating the matter. How can the FIA investigate at the same time, he contended.

Following this, the court directed the FIA to satisfy the court with arguments based on legal clauses that justify how two institutions could carry out inquiries on one case.

The court directed both the federal agency and the petitioner’s counsel to present their arguments at the next hearing slated for March 31.

Verdict reserved

Meanwhile, the court reserved its verdict on the bail pleas of the accused in a NAB inquiry pertaining to irregularities in State Bank Housing Society.

During the hearing, the NAB IO informed the court that the housing society did not have any connection with the State Bank of Pakistan.

The accused have illegally occupied 125 acres of land through fraudulent means, said the IO, adding that over 370 million people were duped by the so-called housing society.

The court reserved its verdict on the bail pleas after the completion of arguments by the NAB prosecutor and the counsels of the accused, including Abdul Alvi, Nazeer Hussain and eight others.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2021.