KARACHI, March 14: The federal government has gifted 5,996 animals, including camels, to members of royal families of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over the past two years, it has been learnt.According to sources, 2,277 camels, 1,069 cows and 2,650 sheep and goats have been gifted after the issuance of no-objection certificates by the ministry of livestock and dairy development. The consignments included females of all species.

Although the government can gift animals to foreign dignitaries under its export policy rules, it is allowed to gift only a “few animals”. The export of female species, however, is banned for export under a directive issued over two years ago.

The relevant clause on “gifts” in the export policy directives states: “The practice of entertaining special requests received through diplomatic channels of foreign dignitaries / Member of Royal families for export of few animals as a gift/personal use will continue.”

The dignitaries who have been sent gifts included: Prince Talal bin Faisal bin Suleman Al-Saud (Saudi Arabia), Fahad bin Abdul Aziz bin Hamad al Thani (Qatar), Jamal bin Al Saqr Al Qassimi (UAE) and Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Suleman Al-Saud (Saudi Arabia).

Another no-objection certificate was issued on March 2 this year for a consignment of 1,200 goats and 300 animals. The gift for Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (an adviser to the UAE president) has not been yet processed.

According to officials, the requests for animals are sent by embassies to the ministry of foreign affairs which then forwards it to the ministry of livestock. “Over the last two years, requests were received for 18,900 animals. However, 5,996 animals have been gifted so far,” said an official of the ministry of livestock.