SHC seeks reports on stray dog menace

Issues notices in Qingqi rickshaw ban case

KARACHI:

A Constitutional Bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday directed the Sindh government and other concerned authorities to submit reports within four weeks on a petition highlighting failure to control stray dogs and the non-availability of vaccines under the rabies control programme in the province.

The two-member bench, headed by Justice Yousuf Ali Saeed, was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Tariq Mansoor, who pointed out that despite earlier court orders, no effective action had been taken. During the hearing, it was disclosed that at least 22 people died due to dog bites in 2025, while nearly 29,000 were injured across Sindh.

The petitioner's counsel informed the court that in 2024 the SHC had ordered authorities to take steps against stray dogs and implement a rabies control programme, but the directives remained unimplemented. He also said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's helpline 1093, meant for complaints related to stray dogs, had become non-functional.

The bench questioned the government lawyer over non-compliance with court orders. The law officer claimed that vaccines were available and assured the court that a detailed report would be obtained from the relevant director general and submitted. Justice Yousuf Ali Saeed observed that the court would review all aspects of the case after receiving replies before issuing further orders.

Meanwhile, the same bench issued notices to the Sindh government, traffic police and a Qingqi rickshaw manufacturing company on a petition filed by the Qingqi Rickshaw Association challenging the ban on multi-seat three-wheelers on several city routes.

Counsel for the association, Advocate Qazi Abdul Hameed, argued that the ban had affected around 60,000 Qingqi rickshaws, despite the fact that the vehicles held valid route permits that had not been cancelled. The court sought written replies from the respondents by February 3.