Export of live animals: Special permission given to Bahraini general, Arab princes

ISLAMABAD: The Imran Khan government has extended special permission for export of live animals for Bahraini General and other Arab senior princes, official sources told Business Recorder.

According to the Foreign Affairs Division that it had received requests from the following dignitaries of the Arab/Gulf states to allow export of livestock from Pakistan to their respective countries: Lt General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Commander of Bahrain National Guards and Brother of His Majesty, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, for 100 cows, from Pakistan to the Kingdom of Bahrain; HRH Prince Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Saad Bin Abdur Rahman Al-Saud, Governor of Hafr Al-Batin of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for 25 camels, 100 sheep and 50 goats, from Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; HRH Prince Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Bin Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for 3000 cattle, 2500 sheep and goats, 200 cows and 200 calves, from Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via UAE by Sea; and I R 4' Secret d. HIH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, for 32 cows (14 female, 4 male and 14 calves) and 22 buffalos (10 female, 2 male and 10 calves), from Pakistan to the State of Qatar.

In the light of the Prime Minister's directive of November 22, 2019, a Committee was constituted comprising Additional Secretaries of Foreign Affairs Division and Commerce Division. The committee in its meeting held on October 7, 2020 recommended the export of above-stated livestock from Pakistan to Gulf countries. Accordingly, the subject case was submitted by Foreign Affairs Division to the Prime Minister's Office for approval of the Prime Minister to allow export of requested live animals. The Prime Minister's Office forwarded the matter to the Commerce Division for their views.

The Commerce Division endorsed the views of the Foreign Affairs Division and recommended that the subject case may be submitted for approval of the Federal Cabinet as per the Export Policy Order 2020. Keeping in view Pakistan's traditional relations with the Arab dignitaries, the Foreign Affairs Division solicited the approval of the Cabinet for export of livestock as a goodwill gesture which was approved on October 27, 2020.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020