The two-nation theory is the bedrock of Pakistan’s creation. The crux of the theory was to create a separate state governed by Islamic principles. To elaborate, this theory did not mean a theocratic state, but a state where these principles would serve as national guidelines. These protocols include the welfare of every community, including animals and the environment, along with justice, equality, security, empowerment, and more.
However, in today's Pakistan, we can blatantly see contradictions, as insecurity, harassment, injustice, delayed justice, marginalisation, animal culling, animal cruelty, including poisoning and beating them, and many other social evils are prevalent in society.
Amazingly, Islam focuses on enjoining good and forbidding evil, but here, people are suppressing good deeds and promoting wickedness. Many animal feeders are harassed, threatened, abused, beaten, and even reported to legal authorities by members of their own communities merely for their compassion.
Animal feeders are, in essence, kind and socially responsible members of society who selflessly feed and rescue animals using their own resources and even take them to veterinarians. Furthermore, some of these unsung heroes vaccinate and neuter strays, contributing to environmental safety. In light of their noble acts, they deserve appreciation and empowerment to spread this moral goodness throughout society. However, the response they receive is quite the opposite, leading to the suffering of both feeders and animals.
Pakistan has countless stray animals starving by roadsides, in parks, near garbage dumps, and at different corners of society, waiting for humans to show compassion. Tragically, most people abhor their presence and leave them vulnerable to die. Even worse, deliberate acts of cruelty, such as running over animals with vehicles, reflect the moral decay within the state.
Government bodies, instead of taking humane action, often resort to violent measures to control the stray population, including mass culling, shooting, and poisoning, targeting even small puppies and pregnant dogs, thereby exposing the hollow governance of Pakistan.
In a nation founded on principles of compassion and justice, the mistreatment of animal feeders and voiceless creatures is a heartbreaking betrayal of our true values
In such a bleak scenario, volunteer feeders step in, filling the vacuum left by failed governance by taking pragmatic and sustainable steps. Unfortunately, their courageous actions ignite hostility among the illiterate and amoral segments of society, resulting in harassment and greater vulnerabilities for the animals they care for.
Every day, feeders operating in streets, colonies, societies, or recreational centres face escalating issues of harassment and abuse, subjecting these kind-hearted individuals to trauma and depression. Most of these feeders are women, and the harassment directed at them discourages female participation in nation-building and state welfare, confining them within their homes.
From personal experience, as a stray animal feeder, I have endured harassment, mob stopping me from feeding, and verbal abuse. I even had to change my residence due to the harsh circumstances. The situation escalated so badly that the matter reached the police station. Fortunately, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sheher Bano Naqvi intervened, ensuring justice and rescuing a street female dog named Sheru and her puppies, whom I had been feeding in collaboration with an organisation called JFK. However, this incident left a dark mark on my psyche. Even today, I think a thousand times before feeding street animals. Later, I learnt that this is the shared reality of many feeders, who routinely face backlash, food being thrown away, and widespread mistreatment.
Several reasons exist behind society’s heinous response. First, Pakistan's literacy rate is among the lowest in South Asia, hindering moral development among the populace. Furthermore, a capitalistic curriculum that lacks empathy and compassion is taught to children.
Additionally, misguided parenting fails to instill kindness and sympathy. Misinterpretations of Islamic teachings — particularly regarding stray dogs — foster hatred both towards the animals themselves and towards the compassionate feeders.
There is also a lack of a strong legal framework protecting the rights of animal feeders, compounded by poor implementation of the few existing animal cruelty provisions. Finally, weak governance adds fuel to the fire regarding animal welfare and the volunteers who champion it.
All these factors contribute to the growing harassment of animal feeders and have horrific implications. Pakistan is already grappling with extremism, and these ferocious acts would further impede efforts towards coexistence and peace.
Abusing feeders will normalise violence, disrupt public harmony, and diminish moral standards, thereby contributing to a rising crime rate. Furthermore, harassment would undermine the spirit of volunteerism, discouraging people from contributing to positive social change. This, in turn, will slow down efforts to control the stray population, negatively affecting public health, as unhealthy animals are more prone to spreading diseases.
This social neglect is a blatant contradiction of the two-nation theory, which is backed by Islamic principles. It is no surprise, therefore, that Pakistan ranks high on the Voiceless Animal Cruelty Index, suffering from ineffective laws and weak enforcement mechanisms. Even the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is applied inconsistently, if at all.
Yet, solutions exist. Education is the key to transforming an oppressive mindset into a compassionate one. The government must invest in public education and launch awareness campaigns to tackle this issue.
The media has an important role in highlighting the problems faced by animal feeders to empower them and sensitise the broader public. Furthermore, religious scholars must play their part in promoting the true teachings of Islam regarding animal welfare, correcting myths — particularly those about dogs being 'bad omens' — often spread during Friday prayers.
The curriculum must also be updated to include content focusing on the welfare of the environment and animals, thereby promoting empathy and reducing hatred toward strays. Parents should instil compassion in their children by encouraging small, empathetic acts, such as placing pots of water and food for animals and planting trees to provide shelter during extreme weather events.
Legal protection is essential. Animal feeders must be given rights enshrined in law to ensure their safety and to recognise their contributions to society. In this regard, Pakistan can draw lessons from India, where the harassment of animal feeders has been criminalised, and the relocation of animals has been made illegal. India has empowered its municipalities to support volunteer workers through sustainable stray population control measures such as vaccination, neutering, and spaying.
These measures have helped to control the spread of diseases, reduce cruelty, and empower volunteers. Pakistan can emulate these steps to strengthen its social fabric, protect its volunteers, and safeguard its voiceless animals.
In conclusion, living a good and healthy life is the right of both humans and animals. In Pakistan, the conditions faced by stray animals are deeply tragic. Amidst these challenges, animal feeders selflessly step forward to protect, rescue, and feed vulnerable creatures, often enduring threats and harassment for their efforts.
Communities, using abuse and threats, suppress kindness because they know no institution will support animal feeders, treating animals as worthless beings. However, by acting upon the aforementioned solutions, Pakistan can still reverse this plight.
In a nation founded on principles of compassion and justice, the mistreatment of animal feeders and voiceless creatures is a heartbreaking betrayal of our true values.