E-Paper | June 20, 2026

Arab hunters’ convoy attacked

The Newspaper's Correspondent Published December 20, 2016
comments
Whatsapp Channel
Add Dawn as a trusted source
Google Preferred Source

GWADAR: A team of houbara bustard hunters from Abu Dhabi, led by Prince Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, came under a gun attack by a group of men in the Gichk area of Panjgur on Monday.

Two vehicles of the convoy were damaged.

According to the tehsildar of the area, personnel of Frontier Corps and other security men retaliated, forcing the attackers to flee.

The area was cordoned off and the convoy was taken to its camp.

A spokesman for the banned Balochistan Libration Front claimed responsibility of the attack.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2016

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.
Newspaper

Read more

amina
Dec 20, 2016 08:48am
This should not be tolerated. Once they are issued permits they have right to hunt. Some miscreants are bent on creating disturbances in province. If these things are not put down with efficiency , will send wrong messages regarding CPEC security
Recommend 0
sana-1
Dec 20, 2016 09:01am
Very distressing development.
Recommend 0
Muhammad
Dec 20, 2016 09:09am
I do not support this wrong action. At the same time, insist that Government should not give permits for hunting of endangered species.
Recommend 0
Joe
Dec 20, 2016 09:11am
This allotment of permit is inviting trouble as locals are against permit issue
Recommend 0
Rubina khan
Dec 20, 2016 09:16am
Hope this incident stops hunting. When the government is busy auctioning every elements of our country people are very angry. Arabs has no business in hunting in Pakistan. They should hunt corrupt political leaders, officers. No permit is required for that.
Recommend 0
SaNjiV DattA
Dec 20, 2016 09:16am
Where is law enforcing agency??
Recommend 0
Mansoor
Dec 20, 2016 09:19am
People are waking-up when the government is sleeping.
Recommend 0
Husain
Dec 20, 2016 09:40am
@amina really!!! Democratic government are for the people. They should listen to their people. Are you listening to the protesters? Their farms are being ruined. These corrupt politicians are issuing permits for their own interests.
Recommend 0
khanm
Dec 20, 2016 09:44am
@amina what is right or wrong is really debatable in our country..Genuine tragedies in the world are not conflicts between right and wrong. They are conflicts between two rights....anyway sad incident...
Recommend 0
ayaz abbasi
Dec 20, 2016 09:49am
We must see both sides of the coin! As if Govt allows them to hunt then why the actual residents are against this hinting?
Recommend 0
Numan
Dec 20, 2016 09:51am
When representatives do not reflect the masses view
Recommend 0
Saad Razzaq
Dec 20, 2016 09:54am
2 wrong doesn't make a right. Issuing a permit itself is wrong and then we have people who resort to violence when their voices are not heard which again is not right. Better solution not to issue permits that are against the will of people, birds, human and sheikhs all can be safe
Recommend 0
Blurle
Dec 20, 2016 09:58am
When the hunters deliberately destroy the locals sources of livelihood for their amusement the people will retaliate since the locals dont get proper compensation.
Recommend 0
Wajahat
Dec 20, 2016 10:10am
Totally illegal to allow such hunt. Its the politicians responsible for such illegal permits. Us the common people of Pakistan are against such acts.
Recommend 0
extra
Dec 20, 2016 10:11am
This could be the result of 88000 Pakistanis doporation from UAE within last five years.
Recommend 0
Mohajir
Dec 20, 2016 10:16am
At least somebody is trying to protect the Hubara Bustard birds and natural wildlife of Pakistan. Well done people !
Recommend 0
Yasir
Dec 20, 2016 10:15am
I am astonished to read the news because after all these people are our guest at home and such incidents will send a bad message to our friends. I think security had done a great job by giving them a protection and saving their lives......well done
Recommend 0
Mohajir
Dec 20, 2016 10:16am
School books tell me that Inhabitants have right to defend their land and it's natural resources from foreign invaders and hunters.
Recommend 0
Mohammad Khan USA
Dec 20, 2016 10:16am
Shame on Government of Pakistan and shame on hunters
Recommend 0
sam
Dec 20, 2016 10:23am
PTI AND Imran khan please leave the Arabs Alone.
Recommend 0
Vivek Wani
Dec 20, 2016 10:38am
Both incidents are regrettable.
Recommend 0
Romeo
Dec 20, 2016 10:52am
@amina .... Why the government issued such hunting licence of rare houbara bustards whose population is on extinct. These birds should be protected and preserved. These so self called princess should not be allowed to hunt
Recommend 0
NKAli
Dec 20, 2016 10:58am
@amina: Madam, please know that our politicians and bureaucrats are are well informed of the Pakistani laws banning hunting. They know that Houbara is on the WWF endangered list and a 60 percent reduction in its population has been noted in the province. Then why did they issue permits? Because Pakistanis are servile and habitual lawbreakers. The country and its laws can GTH where they are concerned. This is where KP province must receive accolades for not issuing permits. Salams
Recommend 0
Shaikh
Dec 20, 2016 11:00am
If you ask for trouble, you will get one... Cruel Arabs should not be allowed for hunting at first place....
Recommend 0
DAWN READER
Dec 20, 2016 11:28am
@amina They should have not been issued the permits to kill the birds on the verge of extinction in the first place as it is against the law of preservation of rare species. However, any attack on their convoy is also not justifiable.
Recommend 0
saqib
Dec 20, 2016 11:33am
how can they allow hunting of an endangered specie
Recommend 0
UAE pakistan friendship
Dec 20, 2016 11:44am
we love both UAE and Pakistan,let them hunt what is the problem ,they have received permit for hunting,they have to be treated with good hands and with full security.
Recommend 0
M.s.
Dec 20, 2016 11:56am
The permits are illigal in light of current legislation.
Recommend 0
IMTIAZ ALI KHAN
Dec 20, 2016 11:57am
@amina right, but CPEC security is just fine. So much work is going on all over Pak and you don't hear incidents about attack on CPEC every day, that is prove of good security cover provided by the Armed forces. We will slip here and there as we are human, but over all hats of to the armed forces.
Recommend 0
Farhan
Dec 20, 2016 12:05pm
@amina given priority for foreign policies according to personal reasons should see troubles like this incident.
Recommend 0
The end is near
Dec 20, 2016 12:07pm
Good job. Kick the houbara hunters out. Don't touch Pakistani birds again. Access denied.
Recommend 0
Dynamite
Dec 20, 2016 12:22pm
they have bought out the govt now the locals want their cut
Recommend 0
Eastwood
Dec 20, 2016 12:24pm
Good job they have to be treated as they treat us and business you The way it was not faraway that their minister said earlier I'll teach lesson to us so before coming to pakistan think twice and Remer Urs words
Recommend 0
Jamal
Dec 20, 2016 12:24pm
Bustards attacking Arabs? The predators became prey.
Recommend 0
A Khan
Dec 20, 2016 12:24pm
If permits are issued for personal interests of the rulers disregarding the people, it may happen.
Recommend 0
krishankant
Dec 20, 2016 12:26pm
Pakistani government must have guts not to allow hunting of endangered birds.
Recommend 0
Just sayin...
Dec 20, 2016 12:53pm
@SaNjiV DattA -Where is law enforcing agency?? Vatsa..please do understand one thing - some questions in the Universe have no answers.
Recommend 0
isb
Dec 20, 2016 01:03pm
People take law in their own hands when government doesn't listen to the Will of the people.
Recommend 0
parveez
Dec 20, 2016 01:13pm
@ayaz abbasi It is the government to listen to the people. Its not the government job to do favours to their friends. These frinds should know that they are not wanted. But there should not be any vilonce.
Recommend 0
hakim
Dec 20, 2016 01:19pm
Whoever did it for whatever reasons, was incorrect. They are our guests and lot of local benefit from their visit.
Recommend 0
SOS
Dec 20, 2016 01:46pm
A permit issued by a corrupt government against the law does not make it legal, hence the attack is welcomed!!
Recommend 0
Merchant
Dec 20, 2016 01:48pm
This incidnence must be taken seriously as it shows a very unstable law and order situation in the country. Anybody can pick the gun and start firing at random shows a complete lack of control.
Recommend 0
zubair
Dec 20, 2016 02:03pm
Great job BLA ... for once you did something good for Pakistan!
Recommend 0
Tajwar Zareen
Dec 20, 2016 02:28pm
Just watch videos uploaded by BLA etc, you will see how under equipped and incompetent the FC are n counter insurgency operations.
Recommend 0
Masoud
Dec 20, 2016 02:53pm
Not good at all looks politically motivated
Recommend 0
Haider
Dec 20, 2016 03:25pm
Very sad..BLA should be eliminated.
Recommend 0
Newsworthy
Dec 20, 2016 03:34pm
Good that at least no one got injured...now the Arabs can help us get rid of the BLA from their safe havens in the region around Pakistan
Recommend 0
John marks
Dec 20, 2016 03:57pm
I m just nobody will I be allowed to kill the birds for fun
Recommend 0
syed zafar kazmI U.S
Dec 20, 2016 04:37pm
Good job Panjgurians. You have every right to defend your land & property against the onslaught of these arrogant Arabs who violate the international law & the law of the land through their arrogant influence on the government functionaries. In the first place, no licenses should be issued to them as this is protected specie of birds.
Recommend 0
Ali hassan
Dec 20, 2016 04:40pm
very lucky for Pakistan.It would have destroyed the entire image
Recommend 0
Ahmed
Dec 20, 2016 04:43pm
@amina seriously amina? Thats what you think? They dont have any right to hunt in Balochistan. Whether govt give them permits. You are setting in your home and just write comments without knowing anything. These sheikhs are destroying the crops of local people.
Recommend 0
Realist
Dec 20, 2016 04:47pm
@Husain Then don't vote them in the next time. But until then, law is to be respected.
Recommend 0
muhammad
Dec 20, 2016 05:03pm
Government should listen to locals. You cannot issue permit for merely a letter to use for personal benefit.
Recommend 0
Muhammad
Dec 20, 2016 05:33pm
@SaNjiV DattA read the article, it has mentioned that personnel of Frontier Corps and other security men retaliated, forcing the attackers to flee
Recommend 0
Sh shiraz
Dec 20, 2016 05:36pm
Better send them back to their country to avoid any incident.
Recommend 0
Foreman
Dec 20, 2016 05:36pm
People of the area are likely to react if if their protests for preserving their land and crops go unheard. Every citizen has a right to be heard and get full compensation of damages of crops instead of token money. The compensation money if any granted is also not done fairly the govt functionaries eat away large portions.
Recommend 0
aman
Dec 20, 2016 06:06pm
whole middle east is on fire and new wars are on the horizon and these so called "princes" are enjoying hunting on protected species ? Why don't they feel a little bit shame on their actions?
Recommend 0
Adnan
Dec 20, 2016 06:07pm
@Joe are u a local
Recommend 0
Adnan
Dec 20, 2016 06:10pm
@SaNjiV DattA in Indian held Kashmir only
Recommend 0
Ths
Dec 20, 2016 06:29pm
These are endangered species why are they allowed to hunt them !
Recommend 0
Ths
Dec 20, 2016 06:30pm
They should not be here in first place.
Recommend 0
Ths
Dec 20, 2016 06:34pm
These birds are listed as endangered species why is Pakistan government hell bent on wiping them out.
Recommend 0
aamir ayub
Dec 20, 2016 07:19pm
It is totally unfair. Pakistan needs more and more friends from the world over. Hunting after permission is not a big crime. Pls consider the fact that thousands of Pakistanis are working in Qatar and in other gulf states for the last many decades. So shame on those who are raising such kind of issues for no national interest but benefiting our enemies
Recommend 0
Ijaz
Dec 20, 2016 07:21pm
We should not hunt dumb animals. On that basis the people that attacked the convoy should be hunted down and dealt with according to law.
Recommend 0
Ajay
Dec 20, 2016 07:28pm
The birds are endangered. I can understand a poor starving villager who poaches an animal to subsist. But for rich millionaires to kill these rare birds for fun? Hope the Pakistani government would not let these hunters in. The can visit Pakistan and enjoy the great food and hospitality. But why visit Pakistan and destroy the wildlife?
Recommend 0
aamir ayub
Dec 20, 2016 08:06pm
No one should forget that last Supreme Court issued order against giving permission for bird's hunter. But the people of Rahim yar Khan took a big procession against the ban on hunting because that was killing their economic
Recommend 0
Muhammad zahid
Dec 20, 2016 08:08pm
I want hunting must be stopped. But the way these attackers want to stop hunting is not acceptable.
Recommend 0
Mansoor Ali Khan
Dec 20, 2016 08:20pm
What is our Govt doing?? Allowing foreigners to kill our wild life?. Shame..
Recommend 0
The end is near
Dec 20, 2016 08:52pm
Why are the Arabs allowed to do this?! Shame on the Government for allowing them! Hubara bustard butchery needs to stop. Houbara bustard is already endangered and we need to enforce our laws on everyone including Qatari and Saudi prince. And then we complain that we get no respect from UAE, KSA etc. and we get treated like slaves by Arabs. Thats our own fault. We will never learn.
Recommend 0
Shash
Dec 20, 2016 09:22pm
Hope hunters got scared..And will run away
Recommend 0
dumas
Dec 20, 2016 09:40pm
why is that rich arab allowed to hunt in my country when I (the PEOPLE) are not
Recommend 0
JOE
Dec 20, 2016 09:50pm
@Adnan my soul is with BIRDS.. I am not local..
Recommend 0
voltore
Dec 20, 2016 10:32pm
Well they shouldn't be hunting in this area.
Recommend 0
Umer Zafar
Dec 20, 2016 11:10pm
@amina why should they be allowed in the first place ? They are raping and reaping our lands and young lasses on what account ? Could u please elaborate
Recommend 0
taha
Dec 21, 2016 01:43am
The poor birds fired at them! 1200 birds are still alive.
Recommend 0
Sarwat
Dec 21, 2016 05:10am
They should not be in Pakistan for illegal hunt in the first place. Second, this attack was absurd. Two wrongs don't make things right.
Recommend 0
Bahadar
Dec 21, 2016 08:06am
Both issuing permit and targeting convoys are regrettable.
Recommend 0
Dynamite
Dec 21, 2016 03:25pm
locals should get their cut from the payout that the Arabs have made....
Recommend 0
Agha Ata
Dec 21, 2016 10:47pm
People do not like it; the birds do not like it, who issued the permits to kill the birds. Any reason would constitute corruption.
Recommend 0
David Salmon
Dec 22, 2016 04:33am
A few permits will not endanger the bustards, if called for because of diplomatic needs, but the permits should be priced high to reflect the few bustards left. The Abu Dhabi princelings cannot object to the high price, as they are seeking a very special favor not even available to Pakistanis. Issue permits for 10 bustards a year, and charge $500,000 per permit.
Recommend 0
Asim
Dec 22, 2016 10:33am
This was bound to happen in place where guns are rampant, poverty and desperation high, and rich trample on the poor every day. We mug and murder Pakistanis every day why should Arabs be immune? Give Pakistani doctors, professors, business men; tax payers the same level of protection as foreigners who add little to the well being of Pakistanis.
Recommend 0
Imtiaz Faruqui
Dec 22, 2016 08:12pm
Good, some body came to help the endangered Birds. If the Govt. fails let the people do something , and Govt. fails 90% on such matters.
Recommend 0
Afzal Mir
Dec 23, 2016 12:47am
IT is the right of the local people to protect their lands and other properties.
Recommend 0

Most Popular

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09

Latest Stories

Opinion

Editorial

Digital deal
19 Jun, 2026

Digital deal

THINGS have moved rapidly where the Iran-US memorandum of understanding is concerned. While the physical document ...
Failing the public
19 Jun, 2026

Failing the public

WHETHER it is Sindh’s struggle to secure clean drinking water or Balochistan’s difficulty in improving the...
Crushed lives
19 Jun, 2026

Crushed lives

COURTS and commissions have often been up in arms over the health and ecological hazards associated with...
Words that wound
Updated 18 Jun, 2026

Words that wound

Hate speech rarely begins with physical attacks.
‘New urban province’
18 Jun, 2026

‘New urban province’

CONSIDERING the advance state of urban decay that affects Karachi, voices are often raised calling for the megacity,...
Punjab budget: mixed bag
18 Jun, 2026

Punjab budget: mixed bag

PUNJAB’S budget for FY27 is a mix of good and bad political choices, with a cash-strapped centre tightening the...
Dawn News English Podcasts
Subscribe