ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) said on Monday two Himalayan bears, Suzie and Bubloo, currently at the Islamabad Zoo would be moved to a sanctuary in Jordan on December 17.
The former dancing bears are the last animals remaining at the now closed zoological garden, after Kaavan, dubbed the world's loneliest elephant, was moved to a sanctuary in Cambodia.
Despite court orders in May that the bears also be relocated, international animal rights non-profit Four Paws said last week that the government had barred the animals from leaving Pakistan.
But on Monday, the Islamabad High Court ordered that the bears be moved this month.
“At the start of court proceeding today, Ministry of Climate Change (MCC) and Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) submitted a written statement which stated that in the best interest of animals they have allowed the bears to travel to Jordan,” Owais Awan, a lawyer who challenged the climate ministry's decision to revoke the relocation permit, told Arab News on Monday.
“After this, the honorable court ordered their relocation to Jordan and observed that it is illegal to keep animals in cages away from natural habitat."
The bears’ travel to Jordan was first announced in early October, with the Jordanian government saying it would facilitate the relocation. Pakistani authorities initially gave clearance to move them, but retracted the orders before their travel date of December 10.
Dr Amir Khalil, a director at Four Paws, said the organization would move the bears to the Jordanian sanctuary Al Ma’Wa for Nature and Wildlife on December 17.
Khalil, who oversaw the relocation of Kaavan, said Suzie and Bubloo would find a species-appropriate home and proper care in Jordan.
“As a vet, I am delighted that in the end, humanity and the bears are the winners,” Khalil said.
“The relocation of the two Himalayan Brown Bears Suzie and Bubloo, kept at Marghazar Zoo, has been approved by all involved parties,” IWMB chairwoman Rina S. Khan said in a statement, saying an IWMB staff officer would accompany the bears to Jordan.
Pakistan court orders Himalayan bears' relocation to Jordan on December 17
https://arab.news/5vhn4
Pakistan court orders Himalayan bears' relocation to Jordan on December 17
- Islamabad High Court ordered Suzie and Bubloo be moved to a Jordan sanctuary after they were found in a negligent state
- Last month, Kaavan, dubbed the world’s loneliest elephant, was moved to Cambodia after a years-long effort by animal rights groups
Pakistan’s first non-life Shariah-compliant takaful operator plans share sale in January
- Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited plans to raise up to $1.5 million through initial public offering
- Institutional investors will get 75% of shares, while the remaining 25% will go to retail investors
KARACHI: Pakistan’s first dedicated non-life Shariah-compliant takaful operator said on Monday it will launch an initial public offering this month, seeking to raise up to Rs 420 million ($1.5 million) as Islamic finance gains traction in the country’s capital markets.
The company, Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited, said it would issue 30 million shares, with a floor price of Rs 10 and a ceiling price of Rs 14 per share. Institutional investors will receive 75% of the shares on offer, while the remaining 25% will be allocated to retail investors.
“Arif Habib Limited has been mandated by Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited to act as the consultant and book runner for raising funds through the initial public offering,” it announced in a statement.
The book-building process for the offering will take place on Jan. 21-22, it added, with investor registration opening on Jan. 16, while public subscriptions are scheduled for Jan. 28-29.
The offering follows the recent listing of Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited, which raised Rs 901 million ($3.23 million) last month in Pakistan’s first Islamic insurance sector IPO, an issue that was oversubscribed several times.
Proceeds from the IPO will be used to strengthen the company’s capital base and support investments in technology, infrastructure and branch expansion, said the statement.
Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited is part of Pakistan’s pioneer Islamic financial services group and is backed by Qatar-based financial institutions.
