Expressing his grave concern over the rapidly growing population of stray dogs in the Federal Capital and increasing number of dog bite cases, the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman), Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, taking suo moto notice, has asked CDA and the Municipal Corporation to take urgent remedial measures in view of the public suffering.
It may be recalled that the problem of stray dogs is increasingly becoming acute due to negligence on part of the Municipal authorities in Islamabad and is causing serious hardship to senior citizens, women and children. However, sufficient attention is not being paid to this critical area. According to reports, a large number of people including the children and the elderly are bitten by the stray dogs.
In view of the magnitude of this problem, the Wafaqi Mohtasib Office, had commissioned a professional study, which inter alia, revealed that the policy of Islamabad Wild Life Management Board has not been implemented in letter and spirit. Besides suggesting practical measures, the study also shed light on ways and means adopted by other countries of the region for tackling the issue. In this regard, Wafaqi Mohtasib had also constituted a high level committee tasked to hold meetings with the authorities concerned for recommending measures to tackle this menace. Resultantly, a dog centre was established at Tarlai under the name of Stray Dogs Population Control Centre (SDPCC). The project, however, failed to deliver and the problem remained.
It may be further informed that the Wafaqi Mohtasibin view of the suffering of the common man had initiated steps for addressing the issue of non-availability of anti-rabies vaccine in the major public sector hospitals in Islamabad. His office arranged meetings between the Ministry of Health and Drug Regulatory Authority, which eased the situation and led to ensuring availability of the vaccine in these hospitals. Previously, people had to pay exorbitant prices for procuring the said vaccine due to its shortage and import restrictions.