MUZAFFARGARH: Despite a Punjab government ban on holding animal fights contest, a camel fight event was held at Lundi Paitafi in Jatoi tehsil with great pomp and show on Wednesday.

According to locals such a grand fight of camels has been organised in the area after five years.

The main contestants in the fight were Badal and Jangi owned by Malik Shahid Budh and ex-MPA Sardar Khan Mohammad Jatoi, respectively.

An organiser seeking anonymity said that one of the fighting camels, Badal, was paid one million rupees for a 20-minute fight.

The event for which a ticket of Rs500 had been fixed was watched by thousands of people.

The fight that was adjudged by two referees was won by Jangi who was showered with Rs100 currency notes by those backing him as soon as the judges announced the decision.

The winning side celebrated Jangi’s victory by dancing to drumbeats.

Mr Jatoi, who owned, Badal said he fed his camel with Desi ghee, eggs and fresh milk. He added that he walks the camel two kilometre daily to keep it fit for the fight which is usually held only once a year.

For an event attended by thousands of people no security arrangements had been made.

Jatoi area deputy superintendent of police (DSP) claimed he was not aware of the event.

The previous Punjab government led by Shahbaz Sharif had imposed a ban on all sorts of animal fights.

Ex-MPA Mr Jatoi claimed that some local parliamentarians had approached Punjab chief minister for cancellation of the event, Sardar Usman Buzdar refused to oblige them.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2019