KARACHI: In the wake of registration of an FIR against Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on the charge of poaching a markhor, an endangered wild goat species, the provincial wildlife secretary has been transferred “in public interest,” it is learnt through reliable sources.

A report on the registration of the case was published in newspapers on March 30 with a picture showing the minister sitting with the hunted markhor while holding it by its horns. This was followed by the transfer of the wildlife secretary the very next day, according to the sources. The sources said the notification, signed by S&GAD Secretary (Services II) Moham­mad Rafique, reads: “Naseer Khan Kashani (PAS/ B-20), secretary Forest & Wildlife Department, is hereby transferred and directed to report to S&GAD, in the interest of public service, with immediate effect and until further orders.”

They said the minister had allegedly poached the markhor in the Takatu area near Quetta a few days ago. Later, a picture of Sarfaraz Bugti sitting next to the killed markhor appeared on social media. The Balochistan High Court took notice of it and ordered legal action against the minister.

Levis Force officials registered a case against the minister. When contacted by the media, Mr Bugti expressed ignorance about the case and denied breaking any law.

“I have not (been) served with a notice for hunting the markhor and would respond to all queries in a court of law, if served with a notice,” he said.

Conservationists have urged the authorities concerned to institute a thorough investigation into the incident. They said if anybody was found to have been involved in markhor poaching, stern action should be taken against him, regardless of his official position, to deter others from committing such a crime.

Markhor is a protected species under the law and the wildlife department collects between $80,000 and $100,000 for every markhor killed.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2017