The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the closure of all pet and bird shops operating without a license in the Toltonon market. The directive was issued by Justice Shahid Karim in response to a petition filed by Aniza Asif, a resident of the area. In her petition, Aniza Asif had challenged the failure of the authorities to clean the Toltonon market, which she said was causing a foul odor and posing health risks to the residents of the area, including those living near the Camp Jail. During the hearing, the court also ordered the regular cleaning of the Toltonon market drain. The court's decision is a welcome relief to the residents of the Toltonon market, who have long been complaining about the illegal pet trade and the unsanitary conditions in the market. The closure of unlicensed pet and bird shops will help to curb the illegal trade in animals and improve the cleanliness of the market.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)