The actor Sania Saeed consistently speaks out against injustices affecting animals. Pakistan has recently seen a rise in cases of animal violence, with many incidents involving young children torturing animals on the streets.
Saeed emphasized that parents play a crucial role in teaching their children kindness, which can be effectively achieved through interactions with animals. She remarked, “We don’t realize but the way we talk to children, we pass on these irrational fears about animals. They have subconsciously learnt from your behavior that animals are something to be scared of or that they are dirty. There are so many prejudices we get from history.”
The Raqeeb Se actor also pointed out that looking after animals is our responsibility and that Pakistan is not alone in this problem. “If you look at India, animals there are treated poorly as well, especially dogs. Parents must teach kindness to kids, and it can be easily done through animals. Through animals, children can learn to receive non-verbal cues. When they grow up caring for animals and seeing their parents being kind to animals, they become more empathetic,” she said.
Saeed also pointed out the lack of respect Pakistani society shows towards children, noting that their wishes and opinions are often ignored, a treatment that parallels the way animals are treated. She stated, “People do not respect their kids; you cannot think that they will be empathetic towards animals either. Working for children and animals can be done simultaneously and this will make our society better.”