Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh Vice President Rizwan Niazi on Thursday expressed grave concern over the rising number of stray dogs and the alarming increase in dog-bite cases in Karachi, alleging that negligence on the part of the Sindh government and the Karachi mayor had left citizens at the mercy of stray animals.
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 stated that several rabies patients were undergoing treatment, adding that over 150 affected individuals were being brought to hospitals across the city daily.
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.
Niazi said that residents of areas including Korangi, Landhi, Liaquatabad, Azizabad, Mahmoodabad, Hub Chowki, Sohrab Goth, Sachal Goth, Mosmiyat, Keamari, and Malir were 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 that 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 stated that government negligence had placed citizens’ lives at serious risk. He added that leaving residents vulnerable to stray dog attacks 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 in hospitals to safeguard citizens’ lives.