Zoonotic diseases to be treated as emergency by law

PESHAWAR:

For the first time in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, legislation has been enacted to address diseases transmitted from animals, including monkeypox, influenza, avian influenza, anthrax, and rabies.

The K-P Assembly has officially approved a new law aimed at preventing animal-borne diseases. Under this law, the government will declare an emergency in the event of an outbreak of diseases such as monkeypox or influenza, with penalties including imprisonment and fines imposed on the sale of meat, milk, and other products from infected animals.

At an assembly session, K-P Minister Fazal Hakim presented the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Zoonotic Disease Control Act 2024, which is immediately applicable across the province. This act provides that, upon notification of an animal-transmitted disease outbreak, the government will declare a Veterinary Public Health Emergency through an official gazette, and a Zoonotic Disease Committee will be formed to oversee response measures.

Veterinary officers will be responsible for disposing of carcasses of infected animals, detaining suspects, and reporting cases. The act also requires animal owners to obtain veterinary approval for treatments, vaccinations, and the isolation of infected animals.

The law regulates animal markets, fairs, and exhibitions, and fines will be imposed on the sale of milk, meat, or by-products from affected animals.

Additionally, the provincial assembly approved the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Animal Feed and Compound Feed Bill 2024, also presented by Provincial Minister for Livestock Fazal Hakim. This law regulates the production, storage, supply, and advertising of livestock, poultry, and fish feed, requiring a licence for these activities.

Any person who produces compound feed or feed ingredients without a license, or who breaches the rules, may have their license suspended by the licensing authority. The bill also established a licencing authority and an appellate authority in each district for individuals to file appeals if they disagree with decisions by the licensing authority.

'Missing' PTI MPAs reappear

Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including two assembly members, party workers, and government employees, who were arrested during PTI's protest in Islamabad, have been released. The released individuals include employees from the police, rescue services, and other departments.

Upon their arrival at the assembly, members Malik Liaqat and Anwar Zeb Khan received a warm welcome, with both government and opposition members congratulating them. Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur announced a one-step promotion, a week's leave, and a stipend of 10,000 rupees for the released government employees.

During PTI's October 4 protest at D-Chowk, two Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly members, Special Assistants Malik Liaqat and Anwar Zeb Khan, along with dozens of party workers and government employees, were detained, and government machinery was seized.

On Thursday night, all those detained, including the MPA, were released from Attock Jail. Sources indicate that those released included 46 rescue personnel, 26 police officers, and 13 local government employees. Upon arrival in Peshawar, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur welcomed them with flower petals.

In the provincial assembly, Ahmed Kundi, the parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, condemned the arrest of MPAs, stating that the speaker had issued production orders twice, but they were not presented in the House.

"We are proud of political activists like Malik Liaqat and Anwar Zeb," said Idris Khan, the phair of the Panel.

Malik Liaqat, speaking in the House, swore that they had been targeted in a conspiracy, warning that continued disregard for the Constitution and law could force citizens to leave the country. He called on the Supreme Court for justice and demanded an inquiry into all the charges filed against them. "If these staged actions do not stop, this country will not function," he added.