Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah on Wednesday expressed serious concern over reports of violations of the Sindh Wildlife Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management Act, 2020 at the Karachi Zoo and directed the Wildlife Department to take immediate corrective measures in accordance with the law.
Officials said the CS issued these directives while presiding over a high-level meeting to review the performance, legal framework, and enforcement mechanisms of the Sindh Wildlife Department. The meeting was attended by the secretary law, secretary forest and wildlife, and the chief wildlife conservator.
Chief Conservator Wildlife Department Javed Maher informed the meeting about the current implementation status of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act, highlighting enforcement gaps, ongoing violations, and pending litigation. While referring to the legal requirements for the possession and keeping of big cats, he explained that an applicant must possess a minimum area of 400 square yards, with 50 percent reserved for vegetation such as grassy ground, trees, deadwood logs, and an elevated artificial rockery.
There must be two rooms of at least 10x10x8 feet each, equipped with stepwise elevated shelves for resting, a green-painted floor, and a gentle slope for proper water drainage. The outdoor courtyard must include two dens, a partition, and a water pool with a proper drainage system, where the water is replaced daily.
He further noted that the Karachi Zoo does not currently comply with these mandatory standards as per the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act. It was revealed that 129 wildlife-related summary trial cases have been pending before various courts across Sindh since 2020.
CS Shah directed the department to prepare a comprehensive compliance report on all ongoing cases and said that he would personally take up the matter with the chief justice of the Sindh High Court to ensure early hearings and effective resolution of pending wildlife cases.
Emphasizing the need for stronger law enforcement and institutional accountability, the chief secretary said the Sindh Wildlife Department will be held directly responsible for any violation of wildlife protection laws across the province. He also highlighted the importance of regulating the trade and ownership of exotic animals, directing that no import of exotic species shall be permitted unless specifically approved for scientific or research purposes.
He instructed the department to draft clear legal provisions prohibiting the import of exotic species not native to Sindh. He further directed that all exotic animals already present in the province be treated with care, properly registered, and continuously monitored.
The Wildlife Department will also be tasked with neutralizing exotic species to prevent reproduction, maintaining ecological balance, and controlling population growth. He further directed that all owners of exotic animals must declare and register their animals with the Wildlife Department within a specified timeframe.
The department will issue habitat management guidelines and enforce population control measures. Possession of illegal or unregistered exotic animals will result in strict penalties and legal action under the Wildlife Act.
The CS also announced that a comprehensive consultation session will soon be convened with wildlife experts, civil society representatives, academic scholars, and government officials to address pressing conservation challenges, including wildlife trafficking, habitat degradation, and pending litigation concerning endangered species. The session will aim to develop recommendations for legislative reforms, enhanced enforcement mechanisms, and sustainable wildlife management strategies.
Chief Secretary Shah emphasized that wildlife protection laws must be enforced in letter and spirit to safeguard the natural heritage of Sindh for future generations.
Later, he paid a visit to the Emergency and Operations Center (EOC) to review the preparations for the upcoming nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) and Polio vaccination campaign. During a briefing, the CS was informed that the Measles-Rubella campaign will be conducted across Sindh from November 17 to 29, 2025. Under this campaign, around 8.2 million children aged between 6 to 59 months will be vaccinated against Measles and Rubella free of cost. The campaign will cover 1,190 union councils across Sindh, where vaccination teams will visit homes, schools, and health facilities to ensure maximum coverage. Simultaneously, 23 high-risk districts for Polio will also conduct Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) administration targeting 8.4 million children aged 0 to 59 months. The CS emphasized that the eradication of Measles, Rubella, and polio remains a top priority for the Government of Sindh. He appealed to all parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated during the campaign.
