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Actor Nadia Jamil shared an impassioned appeal to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, asking her to take steps towards preventing animal cruelty in the province in line with her larger commitment to child welfare.

An open letter shared jointly by Jamil and actor Uzma Hassan, said it had been “well established that violence against animals directly contributes to violence in society”.

The document said Pakistan, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, has a responsibility to protect children from psychological harm, including exposure to animal cruelty.

In 2023, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, a panel of experts that monitors the implementation of the convention by state parties, issued a comment on the relationship between child rights and the environment. In the document, the committee said, “Children must be protected from all forms of physical and psychological violence and from exposure to violence, such as domestic violence or violence inflicted on animals.”

Jamil’s letter said exposure to animal cruelty affects children’s emotional development and “normalises brutality, weakens empathy and fosters fear and emotional distress”. Additionally, it said “individuals who engage in cruelty toward animals often experience unresolved psychological trauma, which can later manifest in domestic violence, elder abuse, and broader criminal behaviour”.

The appeal mentioned an incident from last week where sanitation workers allegedly dragged a dog through the streets of Gujranwala. Government policy, it said, was very clear on the use of sterilisation and vaccination as acceptable methods of dealing with stray dogs.

At the same time, it said, “violence toward wild and exotic animals is also increasing. Lions and other animals are being paraded through scorching roads for roadside circuses and public entertainment, subjecting them to severe stress and suffering. Reports of abuse of donkeys, illegal captivity of monkeys and the public exploitation of birds under the guise of charity are becoming common”.

The appeal ended by reaffirming confidence in the chief minister’s “commitment to building a safer, more compassionate Punjab” and reminding her that, “A society that safeguards its most vulnerable — whether children or animals — builds stronger moral foundations for future generations.”

In her caption, Jamil asked her followers to read, sign and share the letter, which she called a “respectful appeal for a more humane and responsible Punjab”. She said, “The way we treat animals reflects the values we are teaching the next generation.”

The actor isn’t the first to attempt to bring the issue of animal rights to Maryam’s attention. Actor Ushna Shah penned a similar letter in February, telling her she was “almost perfect” but needed to work on animal welfare.

Zhalay Sarhadi also joined calls for animal protection after reports emerged of animals buried under the rubble of a hurriedly demolished pet market near Lahore’s Data Darbar. The Lahore Development Authority denied the market had any animals inside during the demolition, a claim contested by local animal welfare groups and impacted shopkeepers.