Animal rights activist files new petition over pet market demolition in Lahore

After the disposal of an earlier petition regarding the demolition of the Data Darbar pet and bird market, the matter has resurfaced before the Lahore High Court in the form of a new constitutional petition.

The first petition, filed by Advocate Altmash Saeed, alleged that the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) had demolished the market near Data Darbar without prior planning or coordination, resulting in the death of several animals and birds trapped under the debris. During the initial hearing, the Lahore High Court had issued notices to the relevant departments and directed them to submit a report within one month.

Now, a new petition has been filed by animal rights activist Aafiya Khan, represented by Barrister Izzat Fatima. She argued that the responsibility for the incident could not be placed solely on the Punjab Wildlife Department, as only about 6–7 percent of the animals in the demolished market fell under its jurisdiction. The majority, she stated, were species under the care of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or the Punjab Police Animal Rescue Centre (PARC).

According to Barrister Fatima, the court should order a comprehensive and independent inquiry through a neutral commission rather than assigning blame to a single department. She emphasized that the incident highlights systemic shortcomings in urban institutions and procedural mechanisms for animal protection and urged the establishment of a clear policy framework to prevent similar lapses in the future.

Read More: Pet market near Lahore’s Data Darbar demolished in anti-encroachment drive

She further recommended that whenever animals are present at any site scheduled for demolition—whether a market, building, or public structure—agencies including the LDA, SPCA, PARC, and the Wildlife Department should jointly devise a pre-demolition plan to ensure the safe relocation and protection of those animals.

Barrister Fatima also proposed that the court constitute a multi-stakeholder commission comprising representatives from the Wildlife Department, SPCA, PARC, veterinary experts, and legal professionals to oversee such inquiries. She suggested that urban agencies be made responsible for identifying, registering, and safely transferring animals before carrying out any demolition.

She recommended that SPCA and PARC be formally designated as lead emergency response agencies in such cases, while the Wildlife Department’s role should remain limited to the protection of rare or endangered species, ensuring clear institutional boundaries.

Petitioner Aafiya Khan maintained that while the earlier petition was filed in good faith, it resulted only in procedural notices without tangible outcomes. She contended that superficial compliance does not produce change, and that inter-departmental cooperation and strategic planning are essential for meaningful animal welfare reform.

Also Read: LHC to hear plea about pet market deaths

Khan also highlighted that fragmentation and lack of coordination have long undermined the animal welfare sector in Pakistan. In many cases, she said, official actions are driven more by the pursuit of institutional credit or media attention than by collaboration or compassion, weakening collective efforts.

Similar challenges, she noted, were observed in the Tolinton Market redevelopment case and in litigation regarding the dog population control policy, where premature petitions caused unnecessary delays in implementing humane and systematic plans.

On the other hand, a senior Punjab Wildlife Department official stated that the department had already submitted its report to the relevant authorities. The report concluded that no concrete evidence was found of animal or bird deaths under the debris of the demolished market.

According to the report, videos circulating on social media showing dead or injured animals were likely filmed elsewhere and placed at the site “to attract sympathy and media attention.”