KARACHI: (HRNW)- Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh Vice President Rizwan Niazi on Thursday expressed grave concern over the increasing number of stray dogs and the alarming rise in dog-bite cases in Karachi, alleging that the negligence of the Sindh government and the Karachi mayor had left citizens at the mercy of stray animals.
Rizwan Niazi claimed that more than 40,000 dog-bite cases had been reported in Karachi during the current year, while 11 people had lost their lives. He further said several rabies patients are currently under treatment, with over 150 affected individuals being brought to hospitals across the city on a daily basis.
He alleged that healthcare facilities in city hospitals were inadequate and termed the reported deaths despite the administration of anti-rabies vaccines as evidence of poor planning and inefficiency on the part of the Sindh health department.
Rizwan Niazi said residents of areas including Korangi, Landhi, Liaquatabad, Azizabad, Mahmoodabad, Hub Chowki, Sohrab Goth, Sachal Goth, Mosmiyat, Keamari and Malir are facing severe difficulties due to the growing stray dog population. He claimed that children, women and elderly citizens were living in fear, with many finding it increasingly difficult to leave their homes.
He criticised the Sindh government’s anti-stray dog campaign, calling it ineffective and limited to paperwork, and said no meaningful measures to control or eliminate stray dogs were visible anywhere in Karachi.
Describing rabies as a fatal and nearly incurable disease, Mr Niazi said government negligence had placed citizens’ lives at risk. Leaving residents vulnerable to stray dog attacks, he added, reflected the complete failure of the provincial government and civic administration.
He urged the Sindh government to immediately launch an effective emergency campaign against stray dogs in Karachi and ensure the availability of anti-rabies vaccines and proper treatment facilities at hospitals to safeguard citizens’ lives.
