Daily Times

KACHHI: Camping by Qatari princes in Kachhi District of Balochistan for houbara bustard hunting has sparked unrest among local tribal landlords.

Qatari princes have set up a camp in Shoran Tehsil of the district for houbara bustard hunting. Personnel of law enforcement agencies have been deployed for security of Qatari princes under the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over threats that local landlords may put up an immense resistance during the course of hunting activities.

Local landlords have warned the local landlords against any resistance or protest.

According to sources, the PM Secretariat had directed the provincial secretariat to make arrangements for houbara bustard hunting by Qatari princes in eight districts of Balochistan. But no mention was made about district Kachhi in the notification issued in this regard.

About 39 Qatari nationals have reached Shoran under the protection of law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to curb any prospective protest by the landlords against hunting.

When contacted, PTI central leader and former federal minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind said: ” We are surprised at the deployment of law enforcement agencies for the purpose. Crops of local farmers have ripened and our law enforcement agencies are ready to crush every thing just to please Qatari princes.”

He said that Qatari princes hunt so mercilessly that they neither care for crops nor leave endangered bird alive in the area. “As Kachhi district is a stronghold of PTI; therefore, the government has targeted this district and exempted other districts,” he said, adding: It seems if they [Qatari princes] want to hunt local population instead of houbara bustards.”

The Qatari royal family members, who have come to Pakistan for hunting, include Sheikh Hamid Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim bin Jabir Al Thani, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Sheikh Khalid Bin Thani Al-Thani, Sheikh Thani Bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani and Sheikh Muhammad Bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Thani Al-Thani.