Pigeon keeping ban’s radius expanded

A committee comprising high-level district administration, relevant institutions, and military officers has banned pigeon cages, pigeon flying and pigeon keeping on the roofs of houses, plazas, and markets throughout Rawalpindi city.

Previously, this ban was enforced within a 2km radius around Chaklala Noor Khan Airbase and the old Islamabad International Airport. However, now it has been extended to a 5km radius around the airport. The areas now affected include Zero Point in Islamabad, the entire Ghauri Town, Khanna Pul, and all surrounding areas, as well as the entire city of Rawalpindi, Chaklala and all areas of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.

The district officer in charge of the civil defence operation team, Talib Hussain, informed that all areas, union councils, and neighbourhoods from Chaklala Noor Khan Airbase to Cantt Chohar Chowk, Misrial Road, Dhok Hassu, Lalazar, Morgah, Ghauri Town and Zero Point have been included in the area where pigeon flying is banned.

Red notices have been issued to all pigeon keepers and the Pigeon Breeders Welfare Union in the entire 5km area, asking them to remove all small and large pigeon cages from the roofs of houses, plazas, and markets within 48 hours, either by selling the pigeons, or by moving them outside the city.

A major crackdown against pigeon cages will start across the entire city of Islamabad from Thursday, during which all cages and pigeons will be confiscated. Fines will be issued, and penalties up to Rs100,000 will be imposed on violators. Those who refuse to cooperate will have their pigeon cages forcefully by the police. Female police officers have also been included in the operation team so they can enter houses and inspect their roofs. Four to five female officers will be included in each operation team.

However, the Pigeon Breeders Welfare Union has rejected this decision. The Union's President, Fayyaz Chaudhry, and Secretary, Raza Khan, said that initially, this restriction was up to a 2km area, which they had accepted. “Now, extending it to 5km to include the entire city is unreasonable,” they said, rejecting the ban and vowing to challenge it in the court.