ANIMAL WELFARE IN PAKISTAN: LEGAL FRAMEWORKS, IMPLEMENTATION BARRIERS, AND THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY

Abstract

The animal protection laws in Pakistan are intended to safeguard the well-being of the animals and to stop manhandling. Various obstacles limit the viability of these regulations. Animal protection is provided by law as is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890; Punjab Animals Slaughter Control Act, 1963; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Pakistan Animal Welfare Act, 2018; Sindh Welfare and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 2019; Islamabad Capital Territory Animal Welfare Act, 2023; and National Animal Health, Welfare and Veterinary Public Health Act, 2024. In any case, the requirement of these laws is habitually remiss because of a need for subsidizing, a need for open mindfulness, and sociocultural demeanors toward animals. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have worked to campaign for superior protection and increment mindfulness, but execution is still uneven. By examining the text of administrative escape clauses, authorization issues, and the dedication of society towards the development of animal welfare, this contemplation examines how satisfactory legislation relating to animal protection is in Pakistan. It is concluded that the strengthening of authorization, education of the open, and the modification of existing enactment are expressive steps in the progression of animal protection in Pakistan. In the future, such areas can lead to better outcomes for animal welfare.