Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah has said that a complete ban will be imposed on the import of foreign animals in the province. He said this during a meeting of the Wildlife Department, where officials briefed him about the current situation of wildlife protection.
During the meeting, violations of the Wildlife Protection Act 2020 were also reported in the Karachi Zoo. The Chief Secretary said that strict legal action will be taken against people keeping unregistered or illegal animals.
He announced that a consultative meeting with wildlife experts will be held soon to improve animal protection efforts across Sindh.
Issues at Karachi Zoo
The Chief Conservator of Wildlife told in the meeting that the Karachi Zoo does not meet legal standards for keeping large animals. The Chief Secretary directed the department to take immediate corrective steps at the zoo.
Officials informed the meeting that 129 wildlife-related cases are currently under trial in various courts. The Chief Secretary said a request made to the Chief Justice of Sindh to ensure early hearings and effective decisions in these cases.
He added that owners of exotic animals must follow all registration rules and environmental guidelines set by the Wildlife Department.
