Dignitaries from Gulf get permits to hunt protected houbara
By Bhagwandas
KARACHI, Jan 6: The federal government has issued at least 23 special houbara bustard hunting permits to various rulers and members of royal families of the Gulf States, it has emerged.
Sources told Dawn that the permits had been issued in the last week of November.
They added that the permits were issued at the directives of the prime minister.
While wildlife is a provincial subject, the federal government (ministry of foreign affairs) has arrogated to itself the job of issuing houbara bustard hunting passes to distinguished guests from Islamic countries where falconry is a popular sport.
According to the sources, the hunting period has been restricted to 10 days after a dignitary’s arrival at the hunting site with a bag limit of 200 birds hunted by falcons only.
They said nine permits had been issued to hunters from the UAE -- four from Abu Dhabi and five from Dubai.
Six permits had been issued to hunters from Bahrain and as many permits to hunters from Qatar, they added.
Two permits had been issued for Saudi Arabian hunters.
The sources said the UAE president was the only privileged hunter who had been allowed to hunt in three provinces of the country.
UAE President and Abu Dhabi Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been allotted Nawabshah, Sanghar and Sukkur in Sindh; Gawadar, Kharan, Ormara, Panjgur and Washuk in Balochistan; and Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Khushab, Rajanpur and Rahimyar Khan in Punjab.
UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamadan bin Zayed Al Nahyan can hunt in Ghaibi Dero (Qambar district), Khairpur (across Nara Canal), Khairpur Nathan Shah, Johi, Shahdadkot in Sindh and Lehri, Old Katchi and Shoran in Balochistan. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Lt-Gen Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been allotted Domki in Balochistan.
UAE Minister Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been given Khairpur plus Kotdiji (not across Nara Canal) in Sindh.
Ruler of Dubai Gen Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been given Khuzdar and Lasbella in Balochistan.
Deputy Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been allotted Bahawalpur and Fort Abbas in Punjab.
Member of Dubai’s ruling family Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Maktoum has been allotted Badin, Dhabeji and Jang Shahi.
Deputy Police Chief of Dubai and member of the ruling family Maj-Gen Sheikh Ahmad bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been given Mithi and Umerkot.
Director in the UAE Prime Minister’s Office Nasser Abdullah Hussain Lootah of Dubai has been allotted Thatta (excluding Jati, Shah Bander, Onger, Jherrack, Jangshahi, and Sonda).
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has been allotted Chaghi and Noshki (less Noshki city) in Balochistan.
Brother of Khadim Harmain Al Sharifain Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud can hunt in Dera Murad Jamali, Katchi triangle area up to district Duki, Sui (Dera Bugti) and Layyah (via Dera Ghazi Khan).
King of Bahrain’s uncle Sheikh Ebrahim bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa has been given Jonabad and Sonda in Sindh.
King of Bahrain’s brother Maj-Gen Sheikh Mohammad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa can hunt in Jamshoro including Thano Bula Khan, Kotri Manjhand and Sehwan.
King of Bahrain’s brother Sheikh Rashid bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa can hunt in Sohrab in Balochistan.
Bahrain’s Water and Electricity Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Salman Al Khalifa has been awarded Jati.
A member of Bahrain’s ruling family, Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al Khalifa, has been given Onger and Jherrack.
Bahrain’s Defence Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa has been given Gandave in Balochistan.
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has been allotted Qila Saifullah including Qamaruddin Kamez.
Qatar Emir’s son Sheikh Jasim bin Hamad Al Thani has been allotted Nagarparkar.
Qatar Emir’s brother Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa Al Thani has been given Awaran.
Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani has been allotted Jacobabad and Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabber Al Thani can hunt in Muslim Bagh.
