The federal government issued a special permit to Qatari prince Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani to hunt the internationally protected migratory bird houbara bustard in Punjab.
According to reports, the federal government issued a number of special hunting permits to several interested parties during the hunting season 2016-17.
This is not the first time that a special hunting permit has been issued to the Qatari prince.
The prince has lately been in the news following the submission of his letter in the Supreme Court in connection with the Panamagate case.
In his letter he has described his father’s business relations with the family of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his involvement in the London apartments that are at the centre of the Panama Papers controversy.
The houbara bustard is not only protected under various international conventions and agreements signed by the country but its hunting is also banned under the local wildlife protection laws. Pakistanis are not allowed to hunt it but it is much sought after by Arab hunters.
Prince Hamad is allowed to hunt in Punjab’s Bhakkar and Jhang districts. He has been allowed to hunt down 100 birds during a 10-day period.