KARACHI: A constitutional bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday issued notices on an application filed by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) seeking to review a division bench order that expanded the scope of a petition concerning the relocation of brown bear Rano. The KMC argued that the petition had already achieved its purpose, as Rano was successfully shifted on November 5.
Earlier, a regular SHC bench, while hearing the main petition filed by animal rights activist Jude Allen Pereira, decided to examine the broader concept of zoos in the province. The bench had also sought suggestions on phasing out zoos and relocating exotic animals to their natural habitats.
Read More: SHC orders report on animals’ health, living conditions at Karachi Zoo
Following the enactment of the 27th Amendment and the promulgation of a gubernatorial ordinance, all petitions under Article 199 of the Constitution have been transferred to constitutional benches of the SHC. On Friday, a two-judge constitutional bench headed by Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhary scheduled the matter for hearing on January 18.
In its application, the KMC argued that the division bench exceeded its jurisdiction by expanding the petition to include the welfare of all zoo animals and by constituting a committee to inspect zoos across the province. The KMC requested that the SHC review and amend the impugned order and dispose of the petition accordingly.
Meanwhile, petitioner Pereira also filed an application seeking amendments to his petition in light of the SHC’s earlier order. The court put the zoo authorities and KMC officials on notice regarding his application.
Read More: SHC slams Karachi zoo neglect, orders animal welfare overhaul