Karachi: Sindh High Court SHC on Saturday restrained customs officials and other respondents from setting free falcons confiscated by them.

A division bench comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Sadiq Hussain Bhatti also issued notices to respondents while hearing a petition seeking possession of the falcons and vehicle detained by the custom officials.

Petitioner Saeed Ahmed, represented by Atiqur Rehman Advocate, cited Federation of Pakistan through ministry of environment, model collectorate of customs and Omar Shafique, Deputy Collector Customs Karachi and Wildlife Department, Sindh as respondents.

Petitioner submitted that he has been carrying peaceful falconry related business since last many years with Arab dignitaries at Karachi for that purpose he has secured license from Sindh wildlife department to keep falcons and train them.

He stated that his house was raided on 21st November 2012 by custom officials without any warrant and they took away falcons and vehicle with registration number BF5200, on suspension that the vehicle was smuggled and ‘non-duty paid’.

He stated that he provided the customs officials the valid license issued by the Sindh wildlife department to posses falcons, and documents of seized vehicle which shows that vehicle was duty paid and purchased from an auction.

He said that despite showing all documents custom officials took away the falcons along with vehicle and arrested petitioner and his employees.

He submitted that falcons are expensive and have been properly trained for game which involves so much monetary expenses and hardships.

He submitted that on 6 December he received a show-cause notice to be in attendance on 7th December before custom officials to explain why birds should not be set free and action be taken against him violation of related laws.

He appealed the court to direct the respondents to return him the birds and vehicle.