In principle and legally, a veterinary assistant can neither diagnose the disease of any animal nor prescribe any medicine for it. The treatment of an animal is the prerogative of a qualified veterinary doctor, while the job of a veterinary assistant is to assist the doctor or to bandage the animal or administer medicine according to the doctor’s instructions. However, the ground realities are entirely different.

Veterinary Quackery and Service Delivery System

In Pakistan, it is estimated that more than ninety-five percent of veterinary field practice, especially in the livestock sector, is practically associated with paravets. Veterinary quackery has become so deeply embedded in the service delivery system that if paravet practice were banned today, Pakistan’s veterinary service delivery system would collapse. This situation is similar to the medical sector, where banning unqualified practitioners overnight would leave a large portion of the population without basic healthcare services.

Perhaps this is why senior government officials remain reluctant to disturb the existing system of private veterinary practice. As a result, apart from legislation and official rules, the issue receives very little practical attention.

How Veterinary Quackery Became So Widespread

The strong role of paravets as primary animal healthcare providers did not develop overnight. It is the result of decades of systemic issues that continue to worsen over time.

The establishment of veterinary educational institutions without proper planning, unlimited admissions, multiple certificates and diploma programs, the traditional lack of interest among qualified veterinary doctors in grassroots practice, the dominance of paravets and other staff in government veterinary hospitals, the absence of responsible supervision, the alleged nexus between veterinary doctors and assistants in field practice, the existence of allegedly non-functional veterinary hospitals, inadequate hospital facilities, and a lack of seriousness at the government level have all contributed to the current situation.

Why Farmers Continue to Depend on Paravets

Because of limited education, lack of awareness, poverty, unemployment, and backwardness, people in rural areas and small towns often depend on whoever provides timely and affordable treatment for their animals. Just as unqualified practitioners continue to serve many communities in human healthcare, paravets have become the preferred option for livestock owners.

For most livestock farmers, anyone who treats their animals quickly and at an affordable cost is regarded as a doctor.

Conflict Between Veterinary Doctors and Paravets

With the rapid increase in veterinary educational institutions across Pakistan, the number of veterinary graduates has also increased significantly. Consequently, the issue of veterinary quackery has become much more noticeable.

The conflict becomes more intense when a qualified veterinary doctor attempts to establish a private practice but faces resistance from an already established network. In many cases, government officials within livestock departments—who themselves are qualified veterinary doctors—are alleged to become part of this resistance. This often happens because they are either beneficiaries of the traditional system or directly connected with it.

Regulating Veterinary Education Is the First Step

A practical solution is both necessary and possible.

First, the numerous diploma and certificate programs conducted under different names and durations for AI Technicians and Veterinary Assistants should be discontinued throughout Pakistan. Only one standardized two-year Veterinary Assistant diploma should remain.

Similarly, dairy farm management and other short-term skill development courses that create confusion regarding professional roles should also be discontinued.

Admissions to diploma programs in government institutions should be limited immediately. Private institutions should also be restricted to offering one standardized course with controlled admissions, while substandard and irrelevant institutions should be closed.

Improving the Livestock Department’s Service Delivery System

The most important reform is improving the service delivery system of provincial livestock departments. The existing system should be reviewed so that the distinction between a veterinary doctor and a veterinary assistant in every government veterinary hospital and dispensary becomes absolutely clear.

One practical approach would be to introduce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all hospital activities and ensure strict compliance.

At the same time, veterinary services should become more mobile. Mobile Veterinary Dispensaries, similar to the model introduced by the Punjab Livestock Department, can significantly improve veterinary service delivery. When veterinary hospitals and their staff regularly reach farmers at their doorsteps, livestock owners will naturally learn to distinguish between qualified veterinary doctors and veterinary assistants.

Public Awareness to Control Veterinary Quackery

After institutional reforms, a systematic public awareness campaign will be required to educate livestock owners about veterinary quackery and the importance of seeking treatment from qualified veterinary doctors.

At the same time, regular enforcement operations against illegal veterinary practice, similar to those conducted by health departments against medical quackery, can gradually improve the situation over the coming years.

In this regard, the Punjab Government’s announcement regarding the establishment of a Veterinary Healthcare Commission to address veterinary quackery is a welcome initiative.

Administrative Convenience Cannot Override the Law

The notification issued by the Livestock Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regarding veterinary practice may have been intended to address administrative challenges. However, from a legal perspective, it raises serious concerns.

While administrative authorities sometimes have to tolerate practical irregularities because of ground realities, officially permitting activities that are legally prohibited is not appropriate. Better wording and a more legally sound approach could have been adopted while drafting the notification.

It should be clearly understood that such administrative measures may permanently weaken future efforts to eliminate veterinary quackery in Pakistan.