Parading Animals: Implementation of ECP code sought
The judge directed the respondents to strictly enforce the code
LAHORE:
Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the local government and wildlife secretaries on Friday to ensure implementation of the Election Commission’s direction against the exhibition of wild animals during public meetings. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing a petition against the exhibition of big cats, including tigers, by some Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidates during their campaign for local government elections. Activist Faryal Ali Gohar and some others had filed the petition. Their counsel submitted that by exhibiting wild animals the candidates had flouted the ECP’s code of conduct for the elections. He said the candidates had also violated the rights of animals by exposing them to an unsuitable environment. He said the Wildlife Commission, formed on the court’s orders, had failed to take effective steps for the protection of wild animals. He requested the court to order action against those who had violated the ECP’s code. The judge directed the respondents to strictly enforce the code.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2015.
Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the local government and wildlife secretaries on Friday to ensure implementation of the Election Commission’s direction against the exhibition of wild animals during public meetings. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing a petition against the exhibition of big cats, including tigers, by some Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidates during their campaign for local government elections. Activist Faryal Ali Gohar and some others had filed the petition. Their counsel submitted that by exhibiting wild animals the candidates had flouted the ECP’s code of conduct for the elections. He said the candidates had also violated the rights of animals by exposing them to an unsuitable environment. He said the Wildlife Commission, formed on the court’s orders, had failed to take effective steps for the protection of wild animals. He requested the court to order action against those who had violated the ECP’s code. The judge directed the respondents to strictly enforce the code.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2015.