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Lahore Safari Zoo to auction a dozen lions

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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.

In this picture taken on August 3, 2022, visitors look at lions at the Lahore Safari Zoo in Lahore. — AFP
In this picture taken on August 3, 2022, visitors look at lions at the Lahore Safari Zoo in Lahore. — AFP

“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.

In this picture taken on August 3, 2022, lions are seen at their enclosure at the Lahore Safari Zoo in Lahore. — AFP
In this picture taken on August 3, 2022, lions are seen at their enclosure at the Lahore Safari Zoo in Lahore. — AFP

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.

In this picture taken on August 5, 2022, a lion rests in a jungle at the Lahore Safari Zoo in Lahore. — AFP
In this picture taken on August 5, 2022, a lion rests in a jungle at the Lahore Safari Zoo in Lahore. — AFP

“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.

In this picture taken on August 3, 2022, lions are seen at their enclosure at the Lahore Safari Zoo in Lahore. — AFP
In this picture taken on August 3, 2022, lions are seen at their enclosure at the Lahore Safari Zoo in Lahore. — AFP

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.

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The actor Ali Mallah of “Ishq Murshid” talks about life’s challenges.

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After a successful stint in the smash hit Ishq Murshid, Sindhi musician Ali Gul Mallah, who has been in the industry for thirty years, has suddenly become the talk of the town.

He at last received the credit he earned and rose to fame across the country.

He discussed his experiences with financial hardships in Mazaq Raat, as well as how being an orphan exacerbated his suffering.

world,” saidHe said he had only one sister and that his mother had passed away while he was a small child. “When a person’s mother goes, he is just like an orphan in the world,” the father of the speaker remarried.

He also talked candidly about how his success caused everyone to behave differently.

According to him, those who once ridiculed and criticized him, asking whether he was attempting to become Shah Rukh Khan, are now more amiable and appreciate his efforts.

Ali Jan, the son of Ali Gul Mallah, appeared on the show alongside his father and expressed their immense happiness and pride at their father’s accomplishments.

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Aiza Awan expresses her enjoyment of playing the role of a damsel in distress.

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Aiza Awan recently appeared as a guest on the PSL special show ‘Har Lamha Purjosh. She actively participated in enjoyable activities and openly responded to the innocent questions asked by host Najeeb-ul-Hasnain.

During a segment, Awan disclosed that it is indeed accurate that the majority of her budget is allocated to travel expenses. When questioned about her most opulent journey, the actress highlighted Europe and revealed that she has extensively traversed the majority of the region.

When questioned about whether she has stopped portraying the conventional damsel in distress characters in movies, the actor of ‘Tere Bina Mein Nahi’ responded with a straightforward “no.” Due to my exclusive focus and extensive experience in this genre, it has become my area of expertise. As a result, I have developed a high level of proficiency in portraying emotions, particularly crying. Therefore, I have gained a deeper understanding of those characters and have developed a certain level of enjoyment for them.


Furthermore, Awan revealed that novice performers typically arrive on the sets early and depart late; however, she acknowledged that this practice is not wholly unjustified, as one needs to exert great effort during their initial phase of striving.

Aiza Awan’s most recent acting role was in the popular drama series ‘Tere Bina Mein Nahi’, where she appeared with renowned actors Shahzad Sheikh and Sonya Hussyn.

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Fazila Qazi exposes ceremonies for awards

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The expert stated, “Social media followers are just a passing trend,” during a program. She also said that users on social media have all the time in the world and are “purposeless.”

Furthermore, she made oblique references to the fact that Pakistani award ceremonies are primarily preset and predetermined and that a particular group of people consistently win honors.
In answer to a separate query, Qazi said that all drama serials in recent years have the same storyline, which is reused repeatedly with “different angles.” She said, “It’s the same plot and material with a few minor changes to try something fresh.
The veteran described “politics in Pakistan” as an enjoyable diversion.

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