Pakistan is set to introduce international animal rights law as a full university-level course for the first time, beginning in 2026 at Kinnaird Law School. This undergraduate course will be offered in collaboration with Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan, the country’s first specialized Animal and Environmental Law firm.
Designed as a semester-long program, it will include both theoretical and practical components, culminating in exams that educate students on international animal law and the legal gaps that exist in Pakistan.
The initiative aims to integrate animal rights into formal legal education, moving the focus from litigation and advocacy to structured academic training. By embedding animal welfare principles in the classroom, future lawyers will be better equipped to defend animal rights as a matter of law and policy, strengthening the legal framework for animal protection in Pakistan.
This development follows years of sustained advocacy led by Altamush Saeed, who has been reappointed as Chairman of the Animal Law Committee at the Lahore High Court Bar Association for the 2025–2026 term. Saeed established the committee in 2024, the first of its kind in Pakistan, to promote structured legal discussion on animal rights and enhance enforcement of existing laws.
Through his work, Saeed has collaborated with lawyers, stakeholders, and advocacy groups to address gaps in Pakistan’s animal welfare legislation, improve accountability, and reshape societal attitudes toward animals under the law. His efforts focus on creating a comprehensive legal ecosystem where animal rights are recognized, protected, and enforced consistently.
The introduction of this course represents a milestone in Pakistan’s legal education and advocacy landscape. It underscores a broader commitment to aligning domestic legal education with international standards, preparing a new generation of legal professionals to champion animal rights effectively.
Saeed emphasized the significance of perseverance and purpose in achieving this milestone, expressing gratitude for the progress made and optimism for the future of animal law in Pakistan.
