PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued formal notices to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the provincial health department, and the Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar over the alarming rise in the rodent population and the deteriorating sanitation conditions in the provincial capital.
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A two-member bench comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad and Justice Babar Sattar presided over the hearing of a petition filed against the ongoing civic failure. During the proceedings, the bench observed that the infestation and lack of hygiene have evolved into a nationwide concern, transcending provincial boundaries.
Infrastructure Failure and Public Safety
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the city’s aging and defective drainage systems have become primary breeding grounds for rodents. The counsel contended that the surge in the rat population is not merely a municipal nuisance but a severe threat to public safety, citing documented instances where rat bites resulted in the tragic deaths of children in several neighborhoods.
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Health Risks and Hantavirus Concerns
The bench expressed grave concern over the medical implications of the infestation. Justice Waqar Ahmad specifically highlighted the risk of Hantavirus, a viral pathogen carried by rodents that can lead to fatal respiratory complications. The court noted that the administration’s failure to manage solid waste and sewage was directly contributing to a burgeoning public health crisis.
Call for Administrative Accountability
The court directed the provincial authorities and the district administration to submit detailed replies regarding their strategy to curb the infestation and improve the city’s hygiene. The bench emphasized the need for immediate corrective measures to prevent the further spread of diseases.
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Seeking a comprehensive response from all stakeholders, the court adjourned the hearing until June 15.
