Actor Nadia Afgan has questioned Pakistan’s response to animal cruelty, linking it to a wider culture of violence and weak accountability.
During an interview, Nadia discussed Punjab’s ongoing dog-culling drive and its treatment of stray animals. She described the practice as a symptom rather than a solution.
The actor also questioned whether such methods comply with existing laws. She referred to a previous Lahore High Court ruling concerning the treatment of stray dogs.
Nadia Afgan Questions Enforcement of Animal Protection Laws
Nadia said Pakistan already has laws addressing animal cruelty and other forms of abuse. However, she argued that weak enforcement remains a major concern.
“In 2021, I found out there was a law; the Lahore High Court stated there’s a law that you cannot cull dogs like this, you cannot poison them or shoot them, you cannot treat animals like this. But it is still happening. If the government itself is not abiding by the law, then what will the people do?” she said.
According to Nadia, the problem goes beyond the absence of legislation. Instead, she believes accountability remains at the heart of the issue.
“Pakistan doesn’t lack legislation,” she said. “I think there is a complete breakdown of everything here. It is a matter of accountability. It’s not that we don’t have laws; laws exist for everything, some built in 1902, some in 2021.”
She also connected animal abuse with violence against other vulnerable groups. Her comments included women, children, workers and religious communities.
“If we talk about abuse, whether it’s inside homes, outside homes, whether it’s animal abuse, abuse against children, women, workers, or any group or religious sect, everything is happening in our country, and it’s happening openly,” she said.
Social Media Activism Takes an Emotional Toll
Nadia also spoke about the emotional impact of repeatedly witnessing cruelty and abuse. She mentioned incidents ranging from acid attacks to the mistreatment of rescue animals.
She said raising awareness online can also leave people feeling helpless. Serious social issues, she noted, can struggle to gain attention amid celebrity gossip and online controversies.
“You think about what you can do, you post something, and then you start hating yourself thinking, ‘What else am I doing besides this?’ You want to say something for the better, but you are so helpless. It destroys your mental health,” she said.
As a result, Nadia said the emotional strain has sometimes pushed her to step away from social media.
Nadia Defends Animal Rescue Volunteers
The actor also addressed criticism directed at animal shelters and volunteers. She rejected claims that non-governmental organisations involved in animal rescue misuse donations.
“People say that NGO workers gather money and spend it on themselves, which is complete nonsense; NGOs have no money; young people are selling things from their own homes to do this work. It’s insane,” she said.
Nadia said animal rescue efforts in Pakistan largely depend on volunteers and individuals who finance the work themselves.
She also pointed to the limited institutional support available for such efforts. According to her, rescue work often receives widespread attention only after videos of animal cruelty become viral.
However, that public attention can quickly disappear once another issue dominates social media.
Nadia Calls for Empathy Instead of Fear
Nadia further discussed how children learn to respond to animals and vulnerability. She argued that normalising cruelty can influence how children perceive violence.
She believes children should instead develop empathy through positive experiences with animals.
“One myth about street dogs is that you have to fear them,” she added.
Nadia explained that she introduces children to animals rather than teaching them to fear them. In her view, empathy develops more effectively through experience and example.
Ultimately, her comments placed the dog-culling debate within a broader discussion about accountability and civic responsibility.
For Nadia, the question extends beyond how society treats stray animals. It also concerns how people respond to those who are vulnerable and unable to defend themselves.
