New constitutional petition filed against demolition of Lahore pet market
Pakistan
The petition argues that the responsibility for the tragedy cannot rest solely on the Wildlife Department
LAHORE (Dunya News): The issue surrounding the demolition of Data Darbar pet market has resurfaced in Lahore High Court (LHC) in the form of a new constitutional petition.
The first petition had been filed by Advocate Altamash Saeed, who contended that the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) demolished the market near Data Darbar without any prior planning. The demolition, he claimed, resulted in the deaths of several animals and birds trapped under the debris. During the initial hearing, the court had issued notices to the relevant departments and directed them to submit a report within one month.
Now, animal rights activist Afiya Khan has submitted a fresh petition, represented by Barrister Izzat Fatima, urging the court to hold a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the incident.
The petition argues that the responsibility for the tragedy cannot rest solely on the Wildlife Department, as only around 6 to 7 percent of the animals at the demolished site fell under its jurisdiction. The majority, it said, were under the supervision of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Punjab Police Animal Rescue Centre (PARC).
Barrister Izzat Fatima requested that the court order the formation of an independent commission to investigate the incident transparently and recommend a policy framework to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
She further proposed that whenever any market, building, or structure involving animals is to be demolished, agencies including LDA, SPCA, PARC, and the Wildlife Department should coordinate in advance to ensure the safe relocation and protection of the animals.
The counsel also suggested establishing a multidisciplinary inquiry commission comprising representatives from Wildlife, SPCA, PARC, animal welfare experts, and legal professionals, and recommended binding all civic authorities to develop clear protocols for identifying, registering, and relocating animals before any demolition.
