ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has given consent for the export of 150 falcons to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
In a letter to the UAE Embassy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has given them permission to export the birds to the Gulf nation.
“The esteemed Embassy may export 150 falcons from Pakistan to UAE, for personal use of His Highness Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” the letter dated September 27 stated.
According to directions noted in the letter, the birds are to be exported from Karachi airport.
This decision has proven controversial keeping in view the ban on hunting of birds. Prime Minister Imran Khan had also placed a ban upon hunting of falcons in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Pakistan Peoples Party leader Faisal Karim Kundi took to Twitter to condemn the government’s decision, saying the move is ‘illegal’.
#PM select @ImranKhanPTI has given the approval to export 150 #falcons which is against the law and international conventions. From where shall these birds be bought when it is banned to hunt them? Will they be bought from #poachers & #smugglers. Where is Imran Khan’s stance when he said he will ban bird hunting as PAK rulers get bribes?”
#PM select @ImranKhanPTI has given approval to export 150 #falcons which is against law & int conventions.where will these birds be bought when its ban, will buy from #poachers & #smugglers.Where is IK stance when he said will ban it as PAK rulers get bribes. @sherryrehman pic.twitter.com/5eyVi24Qtk
— Faisal Karim Kundi (@fkkundi) September 30, 2018
“From where shall these birds be bought when it is banned to hunt them? Will they be bought from hunters and smugglers?” he asked.
