A tiger in their midst: LHC seeks record of licences issued to animal importers

Petition said the presence of endangered animals in political rallies put both animal and people at risk.

LAHORE: Hearing a petition against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for sporting a white tiger at their rallies, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Green Bench directed Secretary of Climate Change division on Friday to submit a report of licences issued for the import of wild animals during the last five years.

The bench issued notices to PML-N and summoned Director General of Punjab Wildlife Department on June 21.

The court had earlier issued notices to District Coordination Office, Lahore and World Wildlife Fund.

Faryal Gohar, a human rights activist had last week filed a petition about a tiger being paraded during the PML-N's election campaign.

During the course of Friday’s hearing, Advocate Waqas Mir, the petitioner’s counsel, argued that the government was bound under Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act 2012 to ensure that no permit is granted with respect to the import of wild animals without ascertaining that they will be provided with adequate care within the country.

The counsel maintained that due diligence and proper compliance of mandatory legal provisions was not being carried out in granting import permits.

The bench remarked that it was a matter of grave concern if there was no check on the import of animals and stated that procedures to issue licences must be regulated.

In her petition, Gohar had submitted that the PML-N being allocated the election symbol of “Tiger” had started taking tigers and other big cats to its election rallies. She contested that taking the animal to the rallies not only endangered the lives of the people present but also put the endangered animal at risk.

The presence of wild and endangered animals among the crowd posed the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, she claimed.

It was urged that the court issue directives to concerned authorities for keeping a stringent check on the procedure of issuing permits related to the import of wild animals.