Wildlife officials held hostage by Rawalpindi police amid hunting row

ISLAMABAD: In an upsetting encounter, a Punjab wildlife department team faced a heated confrontation with the Rawalpindi police over illegal hunting of birds in the Rawat area. 

Sources said that the dispute began when the City Police Officer Rawalpindi’s uncle, accompanied by a police escort providing security and protocol, was allegedly engaged in illegal hunting.

Upon receiving information, Punjab Wildlife Department Officer Rizwana Aziz reached the scene and attempted to intervene. 

However, tensions escalated as the police personnel accompanying the officer’s uncle reportedly clashed with the wildlife department team.

The issue further escalated when the Rawat Police Station House Officer (SHO) reached the scene and allegedly took the wildlife officials hostage at gunpoint.

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The standoff came to an end only after the issue reached higher authorities, prompting the police to retreat, the sources said.

Subsequently, the Punjab wildlife department imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the senior officer’s uncle for illegal hunting. 

Meanwhile, Rizwana Aziz confirmed to HUM News English that the incident took place and police attempted to interfere in their work and held their staff hostage. She said that the illegal hunter was fined Rs100,000 with a warning to avoid doing such illegal venture in future.

The Rawalpindi police spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on the issue despite repeated requests.

The Punjab government has imposed a ban on the hunting of wild birds and water birds across the province.

The Punjab government has banned hunting of wild and water birds, including partridges, ducks, and quails. The prohibition aims to protect migratory birds arriving in Pakistan during winter, whose numbers have declined in recent years due to environmental challenges and overhunting.

However, of late, the number of these wild birds arriving in Pakistan has dropped owing to water shortage, environmental pollution and excessive hunting.