The Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) verdict on Kaavan elephant has been acclaimed even by a US court as it has given its reference in one of its decisions, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

State of New York Court of Appeals, in its decision dated 14-6-2022, has referred to the landmark decision given by IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Athar Minallah who, on May 20, 2020, had ordered shifting of the elephant to Cambodia in order to provide her a better living environment. 

One of the paragraphs taken from CJ Minallah’s verdict, which has been made part of the US court’s decision, reads: “No doubt animals, too, are sensitive and they have feelings as well as emotions. They, too, can either feel happy or sad. Furthermore, every animal has its own habitat in which it can survive. How is it possible that contrary to natural environment wherein an elephant lives along with members of her own family as well as with other elephants, is kept apart from the rest?” 

“Every animal has the right to live in the environment of its liking.” 

Reporter: Ihtesham Kiani