the governments to ensure protection of endangered species as well as prosecute the traffickers.
Standing counsel, Liaquat Hussain Sheikh, submitted that the federal government had no objection if the petition was allowed as prayed except trial proceedings of the alleged smuggler as the petitioners had alternate remedy for such purpose.
He assured of all possible measures to curb smuggling by the federal government.
The SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah allowed the petition as prayed, by directing federal and provincial governments to ensure enforcement of the laws, particularly Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Flora and Fauna Act, 2012; Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Act, 1997; the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890; the Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1972 and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The court also directed the government to develop and enforce procedures and mechanism meant for the safety and protection of wildlife species including turtles and tortoises.
It further directed to publish a detailed report on illegal export and smuggling of wildlife species and other incidents leading to their extinction and also directed the governments to conduct investigations into incidents involving government officials, departments or private institutions.
Turtle smuggling in Pakistan came into the limelight after Chinese customs authorities confiscated a consignment of 220 black spotted turtles near the Pak-China border in August, 2014.
According to CITES, to which Pakistan was also a signatory, the turtles were repatriated to the country of origin.
The illegal trade of black spotted turtles escalated over the past two years in Pakistan due to a higher market demand complemented with loose enforcement of laws.
The black-spotted turtles could be easily found along the entire Indus River and in other wetlands. A vital part of the freshwater ecosystem the species add to the ecological system which could get severely disrupted if they became extinct.