Pakistan: Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday deferred till Friday the pronouncement of its verdict on a petition that challenged legality of the special permits issued to the Arab dignitaries for hunting protected houbara bustard. A division bench headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah after hearing final arguments from the both sides had reserved its verdict in the matter. Later, the court officials told the press that the bench had deferred its ruling till tomorrow (January 02). Lal Khan Chandio and Rahib Kalhoro had approached the court, pleading to declare the issuance of special permits to the Arab dignitaries illegal and order the suspension of the same. The petitioners' counsel had submitted that federal government had issued permits to various Arab dignitaries for hunting the endangered houbara bustard (locally know as Tiloor) in violation of the international laws. This was not the first time that the government had issued the permits, but this illegal act was being practiced for many years. He said that houbara bustard also figured on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list as vulnerable and feared to be decreasing by 30 per cent a year in Pakistan. He said this bird was declared to be among endangered species in 1912 and a permanent ban on its hunting was placed in 1971. Although a ban already existed, another ban was imposed on hunting in 1992, albeit with provision of special temporary licence for Arab royals. He said this provision was also struck down by the court in 1993 when it was approached, but the practice of hunting was still continuing unabated. Salman Talibudin, deputy attorney general, argued that hunting of the endangered wildlife was not permitted in the areas declared as Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks. However, under section 16 of Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1972, the government may declare any area as Game Reserve, where hunting and shooting of wildlife shall not be allowed, except with special permits, which may specify the maximum number of animals or birds that may be killed or captured. He stated that SHC's judgement regarding hunting of endangered wildlife passed in 1993, which the petitioners' counsel were relying on, was against the standpoint of the federal government as certain provisions, including the section 16 were not discussed, which allowed the government to issue permits. The federal law officer had filed an application, requesting the SHC Chief Justice to constitute a larger bench to decide the case once and for all. (Source : Business Recover)