Pakistan has taken a historic step in legal education by introducing Animal Rights Law as a university-level course for the first time. Starting in 2026, students at Kinnaird Law School will be able to study international animal rights law as a full academic subject, marking a major shift in how animal welfare is understood and taught in the country.

This groundbreaking course will be offered through Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan (EARCP), the country’s first dedicated Animal and Environmental Law firm. The initiative aims to move animal rights beyond activism and court cases, embedding it directly into formal legal education.

A Historic First for Pakistan’s Legal Education System

Until now, animal welfare in Pakistan was largely discussed through public interest litigation, NGO advocacy, and sporadic legal cases. There was no structured academic course dedicated to animal rights at the university level.

The new course changes this reality.

By introducing animal rights as a full semester undergraduate course, Pakistan joins a growing list of countries where animal law is treated as a serious academic and legal discipline.

This step represents:

• Formal recognition of animal rights as a legal subject
• Integration of international animal law into Pakistani education
• Training future lawyers to advocate for animals using legal principles

Where the Course Will Be Offered

The Animal Rights Law course will be launched at Kinnaird Law School, one of Pakistan’s respected institutions for legal education.

Key Features of the Course

• Offered at undergraduate level
• Full semester-based academic course
• Includes theory, case studies, and practical legal gaps
• Examinations at the end of the semester
• Focus on international animal law and Pakistan’s legal framework

This ensures that animal rights are not treated as an optional topic, but as a serious academic discipline.

Role of Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan

The course will be delivered through Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants Pakistan (EARCP), Pakistan’s first law firm dedicated to animal and environmental law.

Why EARCP Matters

• First firm in Pakistan focusing exclusively on animal and environmental legal issues
• Brings real-world legal experience into the classroom
• Bridges the gap between theory and practice
• Helps students understand how laws work in actual court cases

This partnership ensures students gain practical legal insight, not just textbook knowledge.

Why This Course Is Important for Pakistan

1. Moving Animal Rights from Courts to Classrooms

For years, animal rights cases in Pakistan depended on a few dedicated lawyers and judges. This course ensures future generations of lawyers are trained from the start.

By teaching animal law at universities:

• Legal awareness increases
• Advocacy becomes more informed
• Animal welfare becomes part of mainstream legal thinking

2. Addressing Gaps in Pakistan’s Animal Welfare Laws

Pakistan has animal welfare laws, but many are:

• Outdated
• Poorly enforced
• Lacking clear implementation mechanisms

The course will examine:

• Existing Pakistani animal laws
• Enforcement failures
• Legal loopholes
• Comparison with international standards

Students will learn where Pakistan’s laws fall short and how they can be improved.

3. Aligning Pakistan with International Animal Rights Standards

Internationally, animal law is taught in:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• European Union
• Australia

Pakistan’s new course will cover:

• International animal rights conventions
• Global legal frameworks
• Comparative animal law

This aligns Pakistan’s legal education with global best practices.

Who Led This Animal Rights Movement in Pakistan

The introduction of this course follows years of sustained legal advocacy led by Altamush Saeed, a prominent animal rights lawyer.

Reappointment at Lahore High Court Bar Association

Altamush Saeed has been reappointed as Chairman of the Animal Law Committee at the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) for the 2025–2026 term.

His reappointment reflects:

• Recognition of his work
• Continued trust by the legal community
• Institutional support for animal rights

Establishment of Pakistan’s First Animal Law Committee

In 2024, Altamush Saeed made history by establishing the Animal Law Committee at the Lahore High Court Bar Association — the first committee of its kind in Pakistan.

Purpose of the Committee

• Bring animal rights into structured legal discussion
• Promote legal reform
• Support litigation related to animal welfare
• Educate lawyers and judges

This committee laid the groundwork for introducing animal rights into academic institutions.

Legal Advocacy Beyond Courtrooms

Since establishing the committee, Saeed has worked closely with:

• Lawyers
• Legal scholars
• Government stakeholders
• Civil society

His focus areas include:

• Strengthening animal protection laws
• Improving accountability
• Raising legal awareness
• Changing how animals are treated under Pakistani law

These efforts created the momentum needed to bring animal law into universities.

Impact on Future Law Students

The introduction of an Animal Rights course will:

• Create specialized animal rights lawyers
• Encourage research in animal law
• Inspire ethical legal practice
• Improve litigation quality

Students will graduate with:

• Knowledge of international animal law
• Understanding of Pakistan’s legal gaps
• Ability to argue animal welfare cases effectively

Broader Impact on Society

Legal System

• More informed judges and lawyers
• Stronger court arguments
• Better interpretation of animal welfare laws

Animal Welfare

• Increased accountability
• Improved enforcement
• Greater public awareness

Education Sector

• Modernized curriculum
• Alignment with global legal education trends

Religious and Ethical Perspective

Altamush Saeed attributed the journey to faith, perseverance, and purpose, stating:

“Beshak Allah blesses those He chooses with His work. Alhamdulillah.”

This highlights how animal welfare aligns not only with law but also with ethical and moral values deeply rooted in Pakistani society.

Pakistan’s Growing Focus on Animal Rights

In recent years, animal rights have gained attention due to:

• High-profile animal abuse cases
• Zoo and shelter controversies
• Public interest litigation
• Increased media coverage

This academic course builds on that momentum by offering long-term institutional change.

What This Means for the Future

The introduction of Animal Rights Law as a university course is expected to:

• Influence policy reforms
• Strengthen animal welfare enforcement
• Encourage more universities to adopt similar courses
• Build a generation of legally trained animal rights advocates

This is not just an educational milestone, but a societal shift.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s decision to introduce Animal Rights Law at the university level for the first time marks a historic moment in legal education. By integrating animal welfare into formal academic study, the country is preparing future lawyers to treat animal rights as a matter of law, justice, and ethics.

With strong leadership, institutional backing, and growing public awareness, this initiative has the potential to transform animal welfare in Pakistan for generations to come.

FAQs – Animal Rights Course in Pakistan