Houbara and rule of law
The government does not seem to understand that Arab princes lining up for the houbara bustard hunting season threaten not just the “vulnerable” bird, but also the rule of law and writ of state in this Islamic Republic. The Balochistan High Court, for one, cuts a sorry figure. A divisional bench banned the houbara’s hunting back in November, ordering immediate cancellation of all such permits. So much for former Balochistan Assembly Speaker Aslam Bhootani’s efforts in this regard. But it is still difficult to ascertain whether it is the court or the government that has more egg on its face, especially after the latter is seen facilitating open violation of the law.
The way Ahsan Iqbal – flanked by MPAs and senior bureaucracy – welcomed the Saudi prince the other day, and how FC, police and Levies were deployed for security, spoke volumes about the government’s priorities. No doubt they will talk of Saudi generosity and usual help – like parking funds in the state bank to prop up the rupee – to explain their unusual courtesy. But, again, their understanding of pros and cons of such policy seems divorced from reality. True, the Saudis have often, though not always, helped with oil, and other minor exercises like Dar sb’s currency management gimmickry, yet there is no justification for a government allowing disregard of the law to feed lavish excesses of the rulers’ friends.
That is especially true now, since numerous Saudi links are reportedly propping up in investigations into financing of some of our suspect religious groups. Indeed, Saudi money has been tracked to similar outfits far beyond Pakistan, especially after the Arab Spring unravelled in Syria. Even the Americans were angry, and the Arab press often spoke of hard talk with Washington ahead of President Obama’s trip to the kingdom last year. Instead of breaking our own land’s law to please Arab royalty, we must explain to our friends just why some arrangements of the past will no longer be possible. We must immediately cease all hunting of extinct birds and animals and make sure the court’s decision is respected. And we must also convey more serious concerns to our Arab brethren; that some people are using their land, and their financial system, to route money to enemies of Pakistan. It will be interesting to see what courtesy they accord us in these matters.