PHC orders action against animal smuggling

Seeks reply by June 27 on writ petition filed by PBA

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed the relevant authorities to take necessary action to stop the smuggling of sacrificial animals from Peshawar and other adjoining areas to Afghanistan. A division-member bench comprising Justice Shakeel Ahmed and Justice Waqar Ahmed on Friday heard a writ petition filed by the Peshawar Bar Association through Advocate Yasir Khattak.

The bench ordered that animal smuggling should be stopped, seeking a response in this regard by June 27. During the hearing, Khattak apprised the court that Eidul Azha was near and there was alleged smuggling of sacrificial animals from other areas, including Peshawar, through Khyber Agency. He said that in the past also the PHC and the government had imposed a ban in this regard due to which the prices were controlled.

He apprised the court that on the one hand, “there is inflation and on the other, it is becoming difficult for the poor people to make sacrifices”. Along with this, he said, the increase in the value of the dollar and the drop in the value of rupee was also a reason for this. He apprised the court that cattle were being smuggled to Afghanistan in various ways and its shortage was being created, fearing that the prices would increase a few days before Eid.

He requested the court to order the government to take necessary steps to stop the illegal smuggling. The court then directed the authorities to stop the illegal smuggling of sacrificial animals to Afghanistan and adjourned the hearing till June 27, seeking a reply.