Pakistani actor Nadia Jamil has appealed to the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take concrete action to reduce cruelty towards animals while arguing that the problem is linked closely with the welfare of the whole society and especially children.
In a jointly written letter with fellow actor Uzma Hassan, Jamil marked that animal abuse is not an isolated issue but one often connected with the increase in violence in communities.
The letter, which has been widely spread on social media, calls for an immediate attention from the provincial authorities.
Jamil appealed to the public to support the cause and to urge people to sign and circulate the petition and to tag the chief minister to make sure that it reaches the relevant authorities.
She emphasised that making cruelty a normal process in any form can influence harmful attitudes in children, saying the way animals are treated are indicative of the values being exercised.
The document further highlighted the obligation of Pakistan under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which stated it should protect children from psychological hurt, including protecting them from exposure to violence on animals.
It also referenced the UN body on children’s rights, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which underscores the importance of protecting children against both physical and emotional abuse, including witnessing cruelty.
The letter explained that people who abuse animals may have unresolved psychological problems that may later erupt into domestic abuse.
It also highlighted concerns about the increasing mistreatment of wild and exotic animals in Pakistan, which warned of the stress and suffering that these practices cause.
Jamil concluded with by expressing a great deal of confidence in the leadership of Maryam Nawaz, emphasising how a compassionate society, a society where both children and animals are protected, would provide the foundation to build a more ethical and secure society for the future.
Other actors such as Ushna Shah and Zhalay Sarhadi had recently also highlighted the same concerns.
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