Wildlife trade

We have seen a rise in illegal hunting and trade of precious wildlife species in the country. Regrettably, it also includes species that are internationally recognised as endangered. On October 30, wildlife officials in D I Khan rescued eight falcons in a bus that were to be transported to Karachi. Balochistan wildlife officials seized two hunted Markhors from poachers in Quetta.
It is surprising that the government has declared the migratory bird – houbara bustard – as a pillar of its foreign policy. By issuing hunting permits, the government is promoting illegal wildlife trade/trafficking. Such actions may put at risk our access to highly lucrative markets in the world. The government needs to ban every kind of permit/trade related to wildlife species.
M Sayyad Alam Khan
Peshawar