STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and The Prime Minister’s (MoFE & PT) launched the first Curriculum of Pakistan’s Animal Rights on the directives of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.
It was launched a day before International Animal Rights Day to show the world Pakistan’s efforts in this matter. This is the academic initiative of ‘Primary Level – Phase 1′ for all of Islamabad’s private and public institutes.
Importance of vulnerable animal focus of initiative
In a meeting presided over by the federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Rana Tanveer Hussain, this long-awaiting initiative grounded in the importance of vulnerable pets was announced.
The meeting was opened by Dr Mariam Chughtai, the Director of the National Curriculum Council (NCC). It was attended by several high-level officials, which include the Head of the Prime Minister’s Social Reforms Unit, Salman Sufi; the Special Secretary of Education South Punjab, Dr. Ehtasham Anwar; and the Assistant Educational Advisor of the MoFE, Mariam Durrani.
Ayesha Chundrigar, the founder of Ayesha Chundriger Foundation (ACF), Zulfishan Anushay, founder of Justice for Kiki (JFK) Aminal Rescue and Shelter, and Hira Jaleel, who is Pakistan’s top lawyer, were present.
Intolerance for animals in Pakistani society
After the opening remarks by Minister Tanveer, Salman Sufi, who has been behind this initiative for months, said that the project arises from the intolerance for pets in Pakistani society. This initiative aims to focus on the vulnerable segments of society.
This initiative aims to inculcate empathy for pets in school-going children. Salman Sufi hoped this academic initiative would reduce Pakistan’s negative international image. He highlighted that the course has Islamic references to looking for and caring for pets. He said students would learn from this course and pass the values. Students were also in the ceremony and shared their experiences rescuing pets.
Teaching animal rights to animals
Salman Sufi mentioned that this is just the first initiative while others are on the way. The course has components about teaching creature rights to creatures.
He explained that students would be taught various kinds of animals and how to take care of them. He further said that the depth of the course would increase with each successive class. Animal rights activists will also visit schools to teach children how to care for animals. He added that authorities would also translate the content of the Animal Welfare Curriculum into all local languages of Pakistan, including Saraiki, Hindko, Sindhi, and Punjabi.
