Daily Times

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Wednesday ordered the wildlife secretary to explain why the government allowed Qataris to hunt endangered houbara bustard and other migratory birds.

During the hearing, the Punjab law officer could not submit details about the cabinet’s permission to allow the hunting in southern Punjab.

The Wildlife Department secretary could not appear in the court. The chief justice ordered him to appear in the court today (Thursday) and explain the government’s stance on the hunting of endangered birds in Punjab.

The petitioner said that the hunting permission was against the international agreements while the Qataris were allowed without the approval of the provincial cabinet.

Social worker Naeem Sadiq moved the petition through his lawyer Sardar Kalim Ilyas. The petitioner told the court that the Foreign Ministry issued licences to the Qatris despite a ban on hunting of houbara bustard.

He added that the Nawaz-led government has issued 33 permits to ‘hunters’ from five Gulf countries between 2013 and 2014. He said the government could not issue the permits in violation of Sections 2 (n) and 9 (ii) read with Item No 20 of the 3rd Schedule to the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) (Amendment) Act, 2007.

He had requested the court to impose a complete ban on hunting of these birds. He also requested to declare the hunting licences issued to the Qatari prince as illegal.