KARACHI, Dec 1: The Qatari prime minister’s son is arriving at Hyderabad airport on Sunday on the invitation of President Asif Zardari to hunt in the Khirthar National Park and in Thatta, Jamshoro and Badin.

The Khirthar National Park, the only national park in Sindh, is a protected area under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance of 1972 where hunting is banned and poachers face long prison terms and heavy fine.

According to sources, the Qatari prime minister’s son, Sheikh Mhammed bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, has been termed a “personal guest of the president” by the foreign ministry which is organising his safari.

Foreign Ministry’s Deputy Chief of Protocol Aamir Aftab Qureshi wrote a letter on Nov 30 to various government officials concerned to “ensure smooth handling of the royal dignitary”.

“His Excellency Sheikh Mhammed bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, son of the prime minister of Qatar and member of the royal family, will be arriving at Hyderabad airport on Sunday, Dec 2, 2012, by a special aircraft on invitation from the president of Pakistan. From Hyderabad he will go for hunting to Thatta, Jamshoro, national park and Badin.

“Kindly arrange foolproof security, protocol and reception at the Hyderabad airport. Commissioner and DPO, Hyderabad, may also be instructed to receive the royal dignitary at the airport. Immigration and customs authorities in Hyderabad may also be informed to swiftly finalise all necessary formalities.

“Director general of Rangers is specially requested to provide security to the visiting royal dignitary at Hyderabad airport as well as in the aforementioned areas where hunting camps will be established.”

The sources said Jamshoro district had already been allocated for hunting to Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamadan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Badin district and Jungshahi in Thatta district to Dubai royal family member Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

Thatta district, excluding Shah Bunder and Jungshahi, has been allocated to Nasir Abdullah Lootah of Dubai.

They said special permits to hunt houbara bustard had been issued on Oct 19 to various royal family members from Gulf states, including 11 for Qatar, but the name of President Zardari’s guest was not among the recipients.

Conservationists have been demanding that hunting permits not be issued to the foreign hunters and at least recommendations from the wildlife departments concerned be sought before making allocations. They say protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries should not be allocated at any cost.