ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Senate has been informed that a total of 143 foreigners have been issued licenses for hunting including the hunting of rare species in the Country during the last five years.
In a written reply submitted in the House on a question by the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party’s (PMAP) Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that 143 foreigners were issued licenses for hunting rare species including Houbara Bustard in Pakistan from the season 2013-14 to 2017-18.
As per details provided by the foreign minister; in 2013-14, 33 foreigners; in 2014-15, 32 foreigners; in 2016-17, 37 foreigners; and in 2017-18, 41 foreigners were issued licenses for hunting rare species.
It was also told in the reply that there were no hunting recommendations/permits issued for the season 2015-16 due to a ban imposed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The minister further noted that after the 18th amendment the permits for hunting are issued by the provincial governments, as per their local Wildlife Laws. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs only recommends suitable areas for hunting of Houbara Bustard.
