The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard the case regarding the alleged killing of stray dogs in the federal capital.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that from January to September, over 2,800 dog bite cases were reported at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), while additional cases were registered at other hospitals. The court expressed serious concern over the recent viral video showing dead dogs found in a Capital Development Authority (CDA) vehicle.
CDA and the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) submitted their framework report on stray dog management. The court, led by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, directed the petitioner’s counsel to submit written suggestions on the report, stating that the matter would be resolved after a detailed hearing.
Referring to the October 9 viral video of dead dogs, Justice Soomro remarked that an FIR would be registered against the driver, adding that “once the driver is charged, he will disclose who ordered the act.”
During the hearing, the CDA’s counsel informed the court that the dogs found dead in the video belonged to the sanitation department’s vehicle, and that some of the dogs were already dead in the Hosh area, while others had died after being run over by vehicles. The lawyer argued that sanitation workers were only responsible for collecting the carcasses and had no role in killing the animals. “Even if a dog dies in an accident, it is the sanitation department’s job to remove it,” the counsel said.
Justice Soomro questioned how such a large number of dead dogs were found together, remarking that “this is the federal capital, not a remote town,” and expressing surprise that a petition for animal rights had to be filed in Islamabad. He further noted that under the Pakistan Penal Code, killing dogs is a punishable offense. “If Rs19,000 is being spent on each dog, then why is there a need to kill them?” the judge asked.
Pakistan Republican Party leader Reham Khan, who was present in court, said that her organization was not seeking to file any criminal cases but wanted the implementation of a humane and effective policy to manage stray dogs. She added that her group was not funded by any NGO and worked independently. The court adjourned the hearing and stated that the next date and written order would be announced later.