LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to revoke legal permissions for keeping pet lions in the province.
This move follows an incident where eight-year-old Wajid lost his arm. The chief minister directed his transfer to Ganga Ram Hospital and ensured the provision of a modern bionic arm. She also ordered legal action against attempts to cover up the incident, misrepresent facts, and the local hospital’s handling of the amputation.
Authorities disclosed that the incident happened at a Dhola breeding farm, where the owner failed to report it to police or wildlife officials. Both the owner and those involved have been arrested, and an FIR has been registered.
The farmhouse owner reportedly pressured Wajid’s parents into fabricating a story while a private hospital issued false statements about the injury.
Under the Punjab Wildlife Act, licenses were previously granted for keeping pet wild cats under specific conditions. However, the chief minister has now directed the removal of this provision from the law.
