Pets allegedly found buried in rubble as LDA demolishes Lahore bird market

The bird and pet market located near Data Darbar shrine was demolished by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) early Thursday morning, sparking outrage among shopkeepers and animal rights activists.

Shopkeepers accused the authorities of carrying out the operation without prior notice, saying that hundreds of pets were buried under the rubble.

The market, which housed at least 165 shops, was among the oldest and most popular pet markets in Lahore, operating for several decades. According to shopkeepers, authorities had previously informed them that the site would be cleared to construct a stand for Data Darbar.

They further stated that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had promised to provide them new shops after the demolition, a commitment that has not been fulfilled.

LDA officials had earlier met with shopkeepers at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where traders reportedly cleared their outstanding dues, rent, and utility bills following negotiations.

However, the shopkeepers claimed that officials did not mention any plan to demolish the market in the near future, one affected vendor told local media.

He added that the shopkeepers had requested a few hours to collect their earnings and relocate their animals, but the officials allegedly ignored their plea and began the demolition immediately.

Another shopkeeper said that Nawaz Sharif’s government in Punjab had allotted the market’s current location in 1992, far from the main city area at the time. Traders expressed grief and anger, saying they had spent years building their businesses and that the sudden action was unjust and devastating.

Several shopkeepers later filmed videos showing pets being recovered from the rubble, many of them injured or dead.

Animal rights activists and welfare organizations also condemned the incident, criticizing the authorities for failing to ensure the safe relocation of the animals before the demolition.

“If the market was built illegally, demolish it  but move the tiny lives first. Those cats, dogs, birds, and rabbits were not criminals. They were living, breathing beings who depended on humans for mercy,” the Tahira Animal Welfare Foundation said in a statement.