QUETTA: A division bench of the Balochistan High Court directed the provincial government on Thursday to ensure strict implementation of ban on the hunting of houbara bustards in the province.

The secretary of the forest department and advocate general sought some time to comply with the court’s directives. Their request was accepted by the bench comprising Justice Kamal Khan Mandokhel and Justice Ejaz Swati.

Read: BHC bans houbara bustard hunting in Balochistan

Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, a former speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, had filed a petition in which he challenged a decision of the ministry of foreign affairs and others allowing the hunting of the bird.

Also read: 29 permits issued to Gulf states royal families for houbara bustard hunting

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that there was a ban on hunting of houbara bustards but court orders were being violated in Musakhel and Gwadar and prayed initiation of action under Article 204.

The court asked the secretary, forest department, to ensure that no one violated the ban.

Also read: Arab royal hunts down 2,100 houbara bustards in three week safari

Advocate General Nazimuddin, Standing Counsel Ikhlaq Shah and lawyers Baz Muhammad Kakar and Tahir appeared in the court.

The hearing was adjourned till Dec 23.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2014