LAHORE: To free up space for pride that won’t stop growing, a zoo in Pakistan is auctioning off a dozen lions to private collectors next week.
Lahore Safari Zoo now has so many big cats that their lions and tigers have to take in turns accessing the paddocks, said Tanvir Ahmed Janjua, the zoo’s deputy director.
“Not only will we free up more space here, but our expenses for meat to feed them will also decrease,” he told AFP.
The zoo is currently home to 29 lions, and officials plan an auction on August 11 to sell 12 of them, aged between two and five years old.
There are also six resident tigers and two jaguars.
Conservationists are opposed to the sale, with the environmental group WWF saying the creatures should be moved to other established zoos, or breeding females sterilised or given contraceptives.
“Animal exchanges and donations between zoos are a widely accepted practice,” the organisation’s Uzma Khan told AFP.
“Once an institution such as a zoo places a price tag on a wildlife species it is promoting trade — which is counterproductive to conservation,” she added.
Keeping lions, tigers and other exotic wildlife as pets is not uncommon in Pakistan and is seen as a status symbol.
Wealthy owners post images and video clips of their big cats on social media and rent them out as props for movies and photoshoots.
Zoo officials have set a reserve of 150,000 Pakistan rupees ($700) per cat, but hope each will fetch around two million rupees.
Not just anyone can take part in the auction, however.
Janjua said buyers will have to be registered with provincial authorities and show they have the means to provide proper care and shelter for the creatures.
Zoo veterinary officer Muhammad Rizwan Khan told AFP an initial attempt last year to auction lions fell through as potential buyers lacked the necessary documentation or licences.
Nouman Hassan, who fell foul of authorities in the past when he was filmed walking his pet tiger on a leash in Lahore, plans to take part.
“I will try to buy two to three lions for sure,” he told AFP, adding the auction was a good way to diversify the gene pool for private collectors who already owned a big cat.
With little legislation to safeguard animal welfare, zoos across Pakistan are notorious for their poor facilities, but the Lahore Safari Zoo is considered one of the best, set over 200 acres.
In April 2020 a court ordered the only zoo in the country’s capital to shut down after poor facilities and mistreatment of the animals there were revealed.
The facility had drawn international condemnation for its treatment of an Asian elephant named Kaavan, who was later airlifted to retirement in Cambodia in a jumbo project spearheaded by US popstar and actress Cher.
Veterinarian Khan said the animals at Lahore Safari Zoo were being given the best possible care — something reflected in their fecundity.
“They are experiencing a good life in captivity with us,” he said.
One of the most prominent actresses in Pakistan, Mahira Khan, has sparked a new discussion by expressing her opinions on the traditional practices that are associated with the wearing of clothing.
At the Arts Council Karachi, the superstar reflected on her profession, the significance of cultural values, and the impact that her family had on her upbringing. The conversation took place during an in-depth conversation with the well-known poet Anwar Maqsood. During the conversation, Mahira expressed her affection for her grandmother, who had passed away, and mentioned that she was against attire that did not have sleeves. “I was always cautious around my grandmother and avoided wearing sleeveless clothes out of respect for her,” Mahira shared with us.
The actress emphasized that even if new generations are more intellectual and aware than older generations, it is important to maintain cultural values and the custom of wearing clothes that is modest.
“This tarbiyat (upbringing) is essential and should remain intact,” she stated in addition.
The comment that she made, on the other hand, has been met with criticism on the internet. Several users of social media have pointed out that Mahira herself prefers to wear sleeveless outfits when she is attending public events. Remarks made by her have been deemed inconsistent by some detractors, who have stated that the principles she preaches are not in line with the lifestyle choices she makes.
In spite of the criticism, Mahira Khan continues to garner worldwide admiration from her loyal followers, who value her forthrightness and thoughtful perspectives on the preservation of traditional traditions.
The actress, who went on to pursue a career in cinema and television dramas after beginning her career as a video jockey [VJ],
Sadia Imam talked about her wedding mishap, in which her bridal attire was damaged by a fire in her store that eventually destroyed the entire establishment, on her most recent appearance on the morning show “Good Morning Pakistan,” hosted by Nida Yasir.
Imam said, “I was heartbroken because the dress was in my mother’s favorite color combination.”
However, I had created a comparable color scheme for a different customer,” she added. I got in touch with her because I needed a refresher on the colors because I couldn’t figure out what they were again after seeing the images of her garment.
“However, that girl offered me to wear her dress very kindly because her wedding was after mine,” the famous person said. “Since I got the same dress made for her later, I wore her bridal gown instead of mine at my wedding.”
“I always remember that girl and stay a little prayer for her whenever I see my wedding dress, which I’ve kept for Meerab (Imam’s daughter),” Imam said in closing.
It is noteworthy to mention that in 2013, Sadia Imam and Adnan Haider got married. Meerab is the name of the couple’s shared daughter.
In a recent online interview, Humaima Malick opened up to an Indian media source about her friendship and co-star in her first Bollywood film, Emraan Hashmi. She revealed that the “Tiger 3” actor truly loves being famous and likes to show it off.
In response to a question regarding a possible visit by Hashmi to Pakistan during a rapid-fire section, Malick stated, “I would tell all the girls, ‘Immy is coming; go meet him at the airport.'” They’ll all get quite enthusiastic, and he’ll be pleased as well.
She went on, “Because he really enjoys his stardom and likes to show off.”
Malick said that she would ask Hashmi what his secret mantra is to be so self-indulgent if she had the opportunity to interview him for her podcast.
It is important to remember that Emraan Hashmi and Humaima Malick starred together in “Raja Natwarlal,” the crime thriller directed by Kunal Deshmukh and starring Paresh Rawal, Kay Kay Menon, and Deepak Tijori. This was Malick’s Bollywood debut.
Critics gave the movie favourable reviews when it first came out in 2014.