KARACHI:
The judges expressed their annoyance when informed about the death of two rare falcons in the custody of Customs department due to negligence.
Saeed Ahmed, a falcon trainer, had filed a petition against the Customs and wildlife departments for confiscating ten rare falcons belonging to a dignitary of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The customs officials on the other hand claimed that Ahmed had acquired the precious migratory birds illegally. He had failed to provide documentary evidence allowing him to keep them, they asserted.
The petitioner maintained that he possessed a license from the Sindh Wildlife Department permitting him to keep the falcons. The UAE consulate had authorised him to train them for the Arab dignitaries, he claimed.
On Wednesday, Saeed told the judges that two birds died due to the negligence of the Customs officials, who had kept them in poor conditions.
The Sindh High Court has directed the wildlife department to file their replies. It has also restrained the Customs department from releasing the birds till the next hearing.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (4)
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Sometimes I wonder who is the real and rightful owner of this land called Pakistan.Why those who through their ignorance,indifference,carelessness and having no sense of belonging are not brought to the book.Or is it that we are here to listen everyday the loss of humans and money-in millions on regular basis.As for animals,birds and trees,who cares?.During last 50 years we have lost several varities of trees and plants and due to that in return some animals and a whole lot of birds have gone extinct.WHO CARES?
Save these falcons you idiots! Unbelievable to know that customs has capacity to arrest poachers and not to take care of these beautiful species....
The Sindh Wildlife Department permitted him to hunt the rare, precious, very expensive falcons that come from the Pakistani game reserve and not the hunting grounds? Please see the article entitled The flight of the falcons by dawn.com news media and you might just get the whole picture. The customs could have handed the falcons to the game sanctuary whose zoologists and vets would have taken care of them. The UAE consulate officials should have been dragged before the court to explain their reasons for authorising their 'trainer' to obtain and train the falcons, which are protected under international law, while on Pakistani soil. The HC should not be so lenient and convey mixed messages and on the grounds that the arabs are muslims just like they are.