KP authorities seize 9 falcons owned by Qatari Prince at Peshawar airport

PESHAWAR - The wildlife department seized nine Falcons, allegedly owned by Qatari Prince, at Bacha Khan International Airport of the provincial capital on Wednesday.

The department described the transportation of such costly hunting birds as illegal under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Act, 2015.

The Falcons were owned by a Qatari prince who was about to reach Pakistan soon and thus he had dispatched the birds before his arrival for the purpose of hunting, local media reported.

It was revealed that the approximate price of the falcons was about Rs20 million.

The Falcons were shifted from Qatar to Peshawar through a resident of Kohat, who was arrested. However, the accused was released on payment of Rs300,000 as fine.

The federal government regularly issues special permits to various heads of states and members of Gulf sheikhdoms to hunt the migratory birds considered an aphrodisiac by the Middle Eastern hunters.

Qatari hunters apply and pay for government hunting permits and donate to local communities and wildlife conservation.