LAHORE: A wildlife commission established by the Lahore High Court has recommended a ban on exhibition of wild animals in election campaign by any political party.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah had constituted the commission to investigate issues related to import or keeping of wild animals and formulate a code of conduct for political parties and candidates displaying any beast as their electoral symbol.

The judge decided to form the commission hearing a writ petition moved by a socialite, Faryal Ali Gohar, about protection of wildlife after display of a white female tiger by PML-N candidates during their campaign ahead of 2013 election.

Headed by a retired brigadier, Mukhtar Ahmad, the commission in its report submitted to the court recommended that the Election Commission should not allow any party to exhibit wild animals during election campaign or any public gathering. It also recommended amendments to federal and provincial laws relating to keeping and breeding of tigers and other beasts.

It also held a survey on animals kept by private persons or parties and found two golden and as many white tigers at Mazhar Butt farmhouse, one lion at Zain farmhouse, two golden tigers, one white tiger, one tiger and two pumas at Royal farmhouse, two lions and two pumas at Bahria Town farmhouse in Lahore.

Similarly, in Gujranwala the commission found two lions and as many tigers at City farmhouse, three golden tigers and one lion at Amjad Iqbal Cheema farmhouse. It also found two lions and as many white tigers, one Bengal tiger, two tigers, two pumas, two jaguars, one panther and a cheetah at Bahria Town farmhouse in Rawalpindi. Two African lions were found at Fazal farmhouse in Multan.

The members of the commission included wildlife and forest secretary, official of climate change division, Islamabad, representatives of customs department, FBR, local government department, Punjab, Uzma Khan, Faryal Gohar and the WWF-Pakistan DG.

The objective of the commission was to ensure full compliance of Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, 1974 and other relevant laws.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2014