Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday approved a special fund aimed at boosting the habitats of migratory birds, particularly the endangered Houbara bustard.

"The Migratory Birds Endowment Fund (MBEF) will be established in order to help conservation of habitats of migratory birds including the endangered Houbara bustard," said the statement released by the Prime Minister's Office in Islamabad.

The rules of the newly-established fund have been approved by the premier, and the Ministry of Climate Change notified.

The statement added, "Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Climate Change will coordinate the operations of the fund in order to boost and protect the habitats of the migratory and endangered species of birds."

Endangered Houbara bustards made the headlines in the national and international media after foreign poachers were spotted in Balochistan hunting the rare dull brown bird.

The illegal hunting of the migratory bird also triggered the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo-moto notice after reports emerged that Arab nationals were involved in hunting the bird.