KP govt. reviews National Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Bill 2024

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has initiated a detailed review of the National Animal Health, Welfare, and Veterinary Public Health Bill 2024, assessing its alignment with existing provincial laws and its impact on provincial autonomy.

A high-level meeting, chaired by KP Minister for Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Fazal Hakeem Khan Yousafzay, was held at the Civil Secretariat Peshawar to deliberate on the draft bill. The meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Sajjad Barkwal, Law Minister Aftab Alam Advocate, Advocate General Shah Faisal Atman Khel, Secretary Livestock Fakhar Alam, and DG Livestock Extension Department Dr. Asal Khan.

The discussion focused on the similarities and contradictions between the proposed federal law and existing provincial legislation governing animal health, welfare, and public health. The meeting participants also evaluated whether the federal bill posed any challenges to KP’s legislative authority in the wake of the 18th Amendment, which granted provinces greater autonomy in policymaking.

Officials emphasized that KP already has laws in place to regulate animal health and welfare, but the Law Department’s expertise would be sought to scrutinize the federal bill and ensure its legitimacy.

The meeting underscored the importance of robust legislation in safeguarding animal welfare, public health, and environmental sustainability. Participants stressed that a well-structured legal framework could facilitate better disease control, animal welfare protections, and stronger veterinary public health policies across the province.

This review is part of the KP government’s ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and legislative effectiveness, ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders, including veterinarians, livestock farmers, and public health professionals, are incorporated into the final policy.