Residents of multiple areas in Peshawar have approached the Peshawar High Court’s Green Bench, raising concerns over a growing rat infestation and increasing cases of rat bites in the city. The joint petition highlights affected localities including Warsak Road, Charsadda Road, Bashirabad, Fata Secretariat Colony, and surrounding neighborhoods, describing the situation as a serious public health risk and ongoing nuisance.
Petitioners cited poor sanitation, open and blocked drains, damaged sewerage lines, and unchecked garbage dumping as conditions contributing to the surge in rats. Despite these issues, authorities have reportedly failed to take effective action. Reports also indicated rat infestations in Kamboh and Sarbulandpura union councils, where the rodents are unusually large and resistant to standard medicines and poisons.
Hospitals, particularly Lady Reading Hospital, have seen a rise in patients treated for rat bite injuries, and the petition claims that the problem has persisted for years without proper control measures. The petition names the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, health and local government departments, the deputy commissioner of Peshawar, Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar, major public hospitals, and the Peshawar Cantonment Board as respondents.
Residents have requested the high court to order immediate fumigation, sanitation drives, garbage removal, cleaning of drains and sewerage lines, and provision of tetanus shots and emergency treatment for victims. The petition urges urgent judicial intervention to prevent the situation from escalating into a major public health crisis.