On March 25, 2025, the Lahore High Court made a significant decision to protect stray dogs. Justice Shahid Karim issued a stay order, stopping the Government of Punjab from killing dogs illegally, a practice which had been going on in violation of the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy 2021.
The case, titled “Eiraj Hassan and Others vs. Government of Punjab & Others”, was brought to court by Advocate Altamush Saeed, the Founding Managing Partner of Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan—the country’s first dedicated Animal & Environmental Law Firm and Think Tank.
He argued that the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) and other government groups were killing dogs, which is not only inhumane but already illegal in the region. These groups included the Local Government Department, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), PARC, and SPCA Punjab.
The court has ordered all these government groups to explain their actions. Until the court makes a final decision, they are not allowed to kill any more dogs.
This court order comes as a major victory for animal rights as well as animal rights activists in Pakistan. It follows previous decisions by other judges who have also worked to protect animals. These include Justice Athar Minallah, known for the Kaavan judgment, and Justices Ayesha Malik and Jawad Hassan, who helped create the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy in 2021.
This new order shows that courts in Pakistan are increasingly recognizing the rights of animals and the need for humane treatment.