PHC seeks five-year audit report of zoos, wildlife parks

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued a written order in a petition filed against the poor conditions and lack of facilities for animals in the Peshawar Zoo. The court has directed the provincial government to submit five-year audit reports for all zoos and wildlife parks across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The bench, comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad and Justice Farah Jamshed, heard the petition filed by Advocate Shahid Ali Yaftali. In its written order, the court directed the Wildlife Department and the Livestock Department to provide detailed audit reports showing how much funding was allocated and utilized for zoos and wildlife parks over the past five years.

The Wildlife Department has also been asked to explain whether a proper mechanism exists for allocating and spending funds on animal feed, and whether those funds are used appropriately. Similarly, the Livestock Department has been instructed to submit a report regarding the medical treatment and healthcare facilities provided to animals in zoos.

The court further sought details about privately kept pet animals, the non-utilization of already constructed parks within zoo premises, and the reasons behind it.