Daily Times

Sir: Mahol Dost Shehri is an informal group of environment-friendly citizens who work for protection and preservation of wild life, animals, forests and natural resources.

The hunting of the Houbara Bustard, an internationally recognised endangered species of migratory bird, has been an important concern of all environment-friendly citizens for many years. There are many damaging and illegal aspects of this unethical activity. Permits are issued by the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan, which has no legal authority for issuance of such permits. Hunting permits are issued to rich and powerful individuals from the Arab countries, for whom killing of the endangered birds is simply a glorified hobby and a matter of fun and pleasure. The number of these birds is rapidly falling and has been reduced by half in the last 15 years.

Mahol Dost Sheri along with scores of other organisations and individuals has raised its voice against this barbaric and illegal activity on numerous platforms. One of our members also made a petition to the Lahore High Court to place a ban on hunting of the Houbara Bustard throughout Pakistan. The court heard the petition and declared that the action of issuing permits by the Foreign Ministry was without any lawful basis. The court also restrained the hunting of the Houbara Bustard (for all 33 permit holders) till further orders and asked all the concerned parties to appear for the next hearing.

The court observed that the Foreign Ministry not only issued illegal permits but also failed to issue instructions to restrain any further hunting of the Houbara Bustard. It is unfortunate that the government does not have the courage to implement the orders of its own court. Can I appeal to the government to restrain the Arab Sheikhs from any further hunting (as ordered by the court). Why has our government stooped to a level that it allows its laws to be violated in exchange for crumbs received from the Arab Sheikhs?

NAEEM SADIQ

Karachi