Actress Ushna Shah has penned an open letter to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, calling for urgent measures to prevent cruelty against animals in the province.
The actress shared the letter on her Instagram account, where she began by appreciating the chief minister’s efforts in improving cleanliness, public safety and women’s protection. However, she highlighted what she described as a neglected issue – the ongoing mistreatment of animals.
Referring to a recent incident, Ushna said she watched a disturbing video showing a dog tied to a vehicle and dragged along a main road in Punjab. She noted that many social media users were blaming the provincial government for such incidents. Whether accurate or not, she said, the perception is growing due to the repeated occurrence of animal abuse without visible preventive action.
The actress also pointed to other reported cases, including organised dog fights, abuse of donkeys, and mistreatment of animals in markets.
In her letter, Ushna Shah proposed several measures to curb such incidents, including strict enforcement of existing animal cruelty laws, a ban on domesticating wild animals and awareness programmes across the province.
The actress urged the chief minister to demonstrate compassion towards animals in line with Islamic teachings. She expressed hope that strong action in Punjab could set an example for the rest of the country and encourage other provincial leaders to follow suit.