Black partridge breeders protest ban on licensing

In a unique protest demonstration, black partridge breeders staged a rally in Muzaffargarh against the ban on licences for keeping the bird, demanding that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif restore the licensing system.

According to sources, enthusiasts who raise black partridges took out a protest rally under the leadership of Asif Nadeem, President of the Black Partridge Association Pakistan. Protesters carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans supporting their demands.

Addressing the rally, Asif Nadeem said that keeping black partridges is a beautiful part of Punjab's cultural heritage. He stated that breeders and enthusiasts across Punjab are protesting the ban on licenses for keeping the birds.

He further explained that the restriction applies only in Punjab — not only has the issuance of new licenses been stopped, but the renewal of existing licenses has also been suspended — while licenses continue to be issued in the other provinces.

He stated that breeders have been raising rare black partridges in their homes for years to increase their population rather than harm them. "We care for these birds like our own children," he said, adding that their efforts promote Punjab's culture while also helping conserve the species.

The association appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and the provincial wildlife authorities to issue licenses instead of taking action against breeders.