DERA GHAZI KHAN, Nov 15 : The federal government has allowed a dignitary from the United Arab Emirates and his entourage to hunt endangered houbara bustards in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts.

There is a ban in place on houbara hunting in the two districts because of being the breeding ground of this migratory bird.

When this correspondent contacted an officer of the Wildlife department, he said the president of Pakistan had given a special permission to the dignity to hunt the endangered specie.

According to a wildlife survey, there are over 700 birds in different sanctuaries of the districts.

Apart from the dignitaries, Baloch Sardars also hunt houbaras with the connivance of local/regional wildlife officials. The hunt is usually carried out in moonlight.

The district administration of both the districts have, meanwhile, been directed to extend full cooperation to the staff of the Punjab Wildlife and Parks department and provide all possible assistance to the UAE dignitary and his entourage.