Celebrities speak out after LDA tears down Lahore pet market

The recent demolition of Lahore’s pet market has sparked heartbreak and outrage across social media, with several celebrities expressing strong disapproval of the incident.

The bird and pet market, located near the Data Darbar shrine, was torn down by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) early Wednesday morning. Shopkeepers alleged that the operation was conducted without prior warning, claiming that hundreds of animals were trapped and buried under the debris.

Celebrities and activists took to social media to voice their anger. Armeen Rana Khan expressed sorrow, commenting, “Omg” with broken heart emojis.

Zhalay also condemned the act, stating, “LDA needs to be investigated and taken to task.” She went on to question WWF-Pakistan’s silence, saying, “They keep on reading comments and ignoring them. I am confused, are you not an organization for the preservation and welfare of animals? Or have you turned blind towards certain issues and only deal with selective problems?”

Similarly, Anoushey Ashraf commented, “This makes me sick. So sick. The govt sleeps while putting innocents to sleep.”

Meanwhile, socialist Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto added, “Horrified by the actions of the Lahore Development Authority to demolish a pet market with the pets still inside burying many alive under rubble. While Punjab represents itself as pro animal/ wildlife for the sake of COP entry such actions reveal a cruel side to the city government.”

Despite the widespread criticism, the LDA has yet to issue any official clarification, and neither the LDA nor WWF-Pakistan has taken any action or issued a statement regarding the incident.