Non-availability of dog bite vaccine irks court

Sindh CS, ARP, local govt asked to submit report

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court, expressing strong indignation while hearing a petition regarding the nobn-availability of dog bite vaccines, has called for a report from the Chief Secretary Sindh, Anti-Rabies Program (ARP) Sindh and the secretary local government.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, heard the petition.

Petitioner lawyer Tariq Mansoor advocate submitted that hundreds of people are bitten by dogs every day in different districts of Sindh. Vaccine is not available in 432 hospitals in 32 districts of the province including Karachi. Every day more than 100 to 150 people go to Jinnah and Civil Hospitals who are victims of dog bites. In Karachi, most of dog bite cases are reported from Surjani and Orangi towns, Malir, Quaidabad and other areas. An anti-rabies programme was planned four years ago which is yet to be initiated. A budget of billions of rupees was allocated but the dog bite vaccine is not available in the hospitals. The helpline set up for the anti-rabies programme is also inactive. People are worried in such a situation.

Missing persons

The Sindh High Court directed to hold the meeting of the JIT and the Provincial Task Force on the petitions related to the recovery of five missing persons, including a two-year-old child.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Nimatullah Phulpoto heard the petition.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that Waqar Bahadur has been missing for nine years.

Read Citizens urged to take action after dog bite

A total of 35 JIT meetings have been held. What is the use of such JITs which do not find anything?

The petitioner's lawyer stated that a two-year-old child Sameer has gone missing from Sher Shah area.

Justice Nimatullah Phulpoto inquired from the investigating officer whether there was a case of missing child.

The investigating officer said that the case was registered. Investigation and search have started.

The public prosecutor said that the arrest of a citizen Bilal has been mentioned in a case.

The court sought the progress report regarding the recovery of the missing persons.

The court adjourned the hearing till February 24.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2024.