Senators from coalition parties and opposition benches Friday protested against hunting licenses to rulers of Gulf countries as part of foreign policy.
The Upper House was informed that 28 hunting licenses were approved by the prime minister for the foreign dignitaries from Gulf for the hunting season 2010-11.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan while responding to questions in the ‘Question Hour’ said that these permissions were issued to help improve relations with the leadership of these countries.
Senators from Opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), and Awami National Party (ANP) lodged protest, highlighting the flawed and weak foundations of national foreign policy for getting friends internationally.
Minister went on saying that no proposal was under consideration to cancel these permits. However these licenses are issued annually for one season only. “And cancellation of these permits may result in ill will to spoil our relations with friendly countries” he observed.
M. Hamza, Col (R) Tahir Hussain Mashhadi and Zahid Khan came forward with strong demand of cancellation of said hunting permits and halting this practice in future. They were unanimous in their viewpoint that foreign policy should not base on weak pillars and foundation, whatsoever, allowing foreigners to kill animals.
“But, it is quite clear that our foreign policy does not revolve around the hunting permits” Minister added. However, his explanation did not prove suffice to sooth the sentiments of protesting lawmakers.
The House was further informed that total192of Pak-based officers/officials (Diplomatic Wing) were working in Pakistani Missions in nine countries, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, London, France, USA, and Germany.
Approving hunting permits for foreign dignitaries is the most abhorring act on the part of govt. This shows that the rulers are out to sell anything to any one who is considered to be a sort of dignitary from the oil emirates of UAE. Permitting these nobody to come to Pakistan and kill the rare animals with impunity is the most despicable act of this govt. Shame and shame!
Citizens and all assets (moveable or un-moveable) are responsibility of the Government in power – considering this analogy the government cannot give license to agents like Ramond Davis to kill the citizens – on the same ground the govenment cannot issue license to any Arab dignitary to kill any bird/citizen or harm any asset (moveable or un-moveable) in Pakistan – Arabs dignitaries should not be allowed to become Ramond Davis.
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