LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday directed the city district government to carry out an inspection of wild animals kept by individuals at homes and farmhouses especially.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah also directed the government to seek help from citizens through a media advertisement to find out the wild animals being kept by the individuals.

The judge was hearing a petition moved by a socialite, Faryal Ali Gohar, about protection of wildlife in the wake of displaying of a white female tiger by PML-N candidates during a campaign for 2013 general election.

In this case, a “wildlife commission” established by the court had already submitted its recommendations to ensure protection of wild animals. It also recommended a ban on exhibition of wild animals in the election campaign by any political party.

During the course of hearing on Friday, petitioner’s counsel stated keeping the wild animals at private residences and farmhouses was a violation of the animals rights. He pointed out the commission had not convened its meeting to make recommendations for a legislation about protection of the wildlife.

The judge expressed dismay over non-appearance of the commission secretary and the climate change division secretary. He directed the two officials and also the establishment secretary to ensure their presence at a meeting of the commission to be held on Feb 12, 2015.

Justice Shah adjourned hearing to wait for the survey report by the district government.

Birds: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought replies from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Interior Ministry and the Punjab government on a plea seeking a safe way out for migrated Siberian birds.

Petitioner Advocate Kashif Sulemani submitted that every year in December millions of Siberian birds migrated to Pakistan due to hard cold weather and returned to native land in moderate climate.

However, he said, during the stay of the guest birds in Pakistan, people hunt them in violation of international laws. He said the uncontrolled hunting had risked the growth of internationally protected “Houbara Bustards” and other migrated birds. He prayed to the court to order the government to ensure a safe stay and exit for the migrated birds.

A deputy attorney general told the court the federal government allocated venue for the hunting while issuance of the permits was the domain of the provincial government.

Counsel for the Foreign Ministry sought time to submit his reply on the matter.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah adjourned hearing till Jan 16 with directions to the respondents to ensure submission of their replies.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2014