It is not unusual to hear about a protest which aims to have the hunting of specific animals banned as the protection of animals is often high on the agenda of environmentalists worldwide. That’s why news that a demonstration in Pakistan demanding the end a ban on Hunting the houbara bustard might make you do a double-take.
Hunting the Houbara bustard—a bird believed to be near extinction—is a popular pastime of wealthy Gulf nationals and royalty. Last year, a Saudi prince reportedly killed around 2,000 of the birds despite them being protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species established in 1973. In August, a three-judge branch of Pakistan's Supreme court ordered the cancellation of all licenses issued to Arab royals by the federal government.
This week, protesters in Yazman, southern Punjab, rallied to demand that ban be overturned.
Why? They expressed their support for licensed hunting and highlighted the friendship between Pakistan and the UAE. They drew attention to the jobs which the hunting brings to the region, reportedly waving banners bearing statements such as ‘Thousands of deserving families earn their livelihood through hunting trips.'
Speakers at the rally expressed their fear that the ban is jeopardising development projects which are supported by the UAE and also might be causing trouble for Pakistani workers within the Gulf states. Hunting tourists who visit the region in search of the bird are believed to support thousands of jobs and boost the local economy.
By Kane Hippisley-Gatherum
