Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the termination of legal permissions allowing the keeping of pet lions throughout the province. This decision follows a serious incident involving an eight-year-old boy who lost his arm in a concealed wildlife-related accident.
Incident and Immediate Response
After learning about the injury to the child, named Wajid, the Chief Minister took swift action. The boy was transferred to Ganga Ram Hospital, where authorities have arranged for a modern bionic arm to aid his recovery. Maryam Nawaz expressed sympathy for Wajid and his family and emphasized the importance of comprehensive medical care.
Legal Measures and Investigation
Following directives from the Chief Minister, strict legal proceedings have been initiated against those involved in attempting to conceal the incident. Investigations revealed that the injury occurred at a breeding farm in Dhola, where the owner failed to report the event to police or the Wildlife Department. Both the police and Wildlife Department have since arrested the accused and registered a formal case.
Further inquiries uncovered that a private hospital had misrepresented the cause of the injury, and the farm owner pressured the child’s parents to provide a fabricated account of the incident.
Policy Change on Wildlife Ownership
Previously, under the Punjab Wildlife Act, licenses were granted for keeping wild cats, including lions, under strict conditions. However, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has now directed the removal of provisions permitting the ownership of wild cats from the law, effectively banning the keeping of pet lions in the province.
This move reflects the government’s commitment to public safety and wildlife regulation following the tragic event.
