Justice Ayesha stresses need for steps to ensure safety of animals

LAHORE: Pakistan’s first ‘Animal and Environmental Rights International Conference’ (PIAERC 2025) opened at a local hotel here on Saturday.

The conference brought together over 115 global and local experts to discuss transformative strategies for advancing animal welfare and environmental protection in the country. Organised by Advocate Altamush Saeed’s law firm, Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants (EARC) Pakistan, in collaboration with Humane Society International, Thrive Philanthropy and ProVeg International, the event aims to catalyse change and inspire global collaborations. The opening ceremony began with a keynote address by Justice Ayesha A. Malik of the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan. She emphasised the need for strong judicial frameworks to uphold animal and environmental rights. She stated, “A society’s progress is measured not only by how it treats its people but also by how it safeguards its animals and environment. This conference marked a critical step toward building a more compassionate and sustainable Pakistan.” She stressed upon the need to take emergent steps with an aim to ensure safety of the animals. Justice Malik said that animals have right to the clean water and safe environment. Throughout the day, attendees engaged in impactful discussions and panel sessions.

The day concluded with a closing keynote address by the Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court. His address focused on the judicial and legal anthropology of animal rights in Pakistan, with reference to landmark cases like the 2022 PLD (Lahore) 445 decision.

He stressed, “Judicial activism must align with public advocacy to ensure that animal rights are integrated into our legal framework and societal consciousness.”

This conference, scheduled to run until 19 January, provides a unique platform for experts, policymakers, and advocates to align global standards with local practices. The event also features exhibition stalls and film screenings documenting animal rights advocacy success stories.