Animal rights activist Ayesha Chundrigar demands Ban on Pet Markets in Pakistan!
The razing of Lahore’s infamous Bhati Chowk pet market has sent shockwaves throughout Pakistan-not because of the demolition itself, but because of the silent victims left behind. Dozens of animals reportedly died amidst the chaos; their suffering brought attention to a dark and persistent reality.
At the fore of this uproar is Ayesha Chundrigar, a prominent animal rights activist and the founder of the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF). Her passionate call for a nationwide ban on pet markets in Pakistan has once again cast a spotlight on the deeply disturbing animal welfare crisis in the country.
“They Are Prisoners, Not Pets”
Taking to emotional Instagram posts one after the other, Chundrigar spoke out against such inhumane treatment that animals endure in such markets. She called them “prisoners“-beings that were placed in dirty cages without food or water, neither dignity, just to serve human profit.
“These animals are forced to suffer day after day,” she wrote. “They are not living beings to us anymore; they are commodities. Their lives matter only if they entertain us, feed us or make us money.”
Her words struck home, resonating deep with Pakistan’s people who have simply learned to turn a blind eye towards this institutionalized cruelty in the form of local pet bazaars.
Behind Closed Cages: The Concealed Cruelty
The incident at Bhati Chowk revealed something that the activists had been trying to raise a red flag about: many pet markets across Pakistan operate in dismal conditions. Puppies, kittens, birds, and exotic animals are stuffed into suffocating cages without any medical attention and protection against weather conditions. Many silently die before ever finding a home.
Profit-oriented shopkeepers are rarely brought to book. The authorities also have failed to introduce permanent reforms or effectively enforce the existing animal protection acts despite sporadic crackdowns.
The cases are endless, and Chundrigar’s organization-specifically working on rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned and abused animals-documents them regularly. To her, this was no isolated tragedy but a symptom of an ethical crisis sweeping the nation.
A Call for Compassion and Reform
Chundrigar’s message transcends outrage; it is a demand for systemic change. She asks the government to recognize animal welfare as a moral and legal responsibility, not an afterthought.
“It is time to stop the suffering of animals once and for all,” she declared, calling on both citizens and officials to break the cycle of exploitation.
Her proposed ban on pet markets in Pakistan is not a cry against keeping pets, but against the commercial exploitation that thrives on neglect and abuse. She advocates for humane adoption centers, welfare regulations, and awareness campaigns to foster empathy among the public.
A Moment for Pakistan to Choose Compassion
The tragedy at Bhati Chowk becomes a grim reminder that in our advancement as a society, we are not only judged by the way we treat our fellow beings but also the way we treat those who cannot speak for themselves.
Ayesha Chundrigar’s plea is more than a campaign; it’s a wake-up call. Pakistan now stands at a crossroads: continue to ignore the silent cries echoing from behind rusted cages, or take some definite steps toward compassion, accountability, and change.
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