In a major victory for stray dogs in the capital, the Islamabad High Court has ordered the full implementation of the Islamabad Capital Territory Stray Dog Population Control Policy 2020, a policy that had remained unimplemented for five years and pushes for humane stray dog population control in the city.
The order was issued on October 9, 2025, in the case of Nelofer v. Chief Commissioner, ICT, etc. (Writ Petition 2165-2025), currently being heard by Honorable Justice Khadim Hussain Sumro. The case was argued by Advocate Altamush Saeed, Founding Managing Partner of Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan, the country’s first dedicated animal and environmental law firm.
During the proceedings, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) conceded to all points raised in the petition and agreed to collaborate with animal welfare organizations on the policy’s implementation. The CDA officially recorded its willingness to receive proposals from these organizations and include them as volunteers in executing the policy.
The CDA also presented a new framework outlining its responsibilities for enforcing the 2020 policy, a first since the policy’s formulation. For five years, no such framework existed, despite it being a legal requirement. This development comes as a critical step toward the humane management of Islamabad’s stray dog population through sterilization, vaccination, and rehabilitation instead of culling.
Advocate Saeed described the development as “a huge victory,” noting that the petition has compelled both the CDA and the Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) to formally act on their obligations under the policy. The case has been adjourned to a later date, during which the petitioners, serving as experts, will review and comment on the proposed framework to ensure full and effective implementation.