Untangling Wildlife Law and Enforcement in Pakistan: From Crime to Reform

Abstract

Pakistan’s wildlife laws have undergone notable evolution since colonial times, transitioning into a fragmented, provincially governed framework. While the country has enacted several federal and provincial statutes to regulate wildlife conservation, prevent illegal hunting, and control wildlife trade, enforcement remains weak and inconsistent. It is often undermined by legal loopholes, institutional incapacity, and socioeconomic privilege. This review examines key legal provisions governing wildlife protection in Pakistan, identifies enforcement challenges, and evaluates key/recent judicial interventions that have played a corrective role where administrative systems failed. Drawing from recent precedents and conservation initiatives, the paper highlights critical gaps in legal architecture and compliance with international obligations under CITES and CMS. Furthermore, the review underscores systemic issues such as overlapping species listings, outdated penalty structures, weak protected area management, private wildlife keeping, and the persistence of wildlife-related crimes. Additionally, while the judiciary has intervened in several landmark cases to uphold conservation principles and constitutional protections, these efforts remain reactive rather than preventive. It concludes by emphasizing the need for harmonized legal reform, institutional strengthening, and transparent enforcement to secure long-term biodiversity protection in Pakistan.