The Punjab government has launched a province-wide crackdown against the illegal possession of lions, seizing 13 big cats and arresting five individuals following a shocking incident in Lahore where a lion escaped and injured a woman and children.
The incident, which took place earlier this week, prompted immediate action from the authorities. On Saturday, inspections were carried out at 22 locations across Punjab.
In Lahore, officials confiscated four lions and sealed the premises where they were kept. FIRs were registered against three individuals. In Gujranwala, four lions were seized, while in Faisalabad, two lions were taken into custody and the enclosures sealed.
Multan authorities recovered three lions, arresting and charging one person. Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb condemned the illegal trade and private keeping of wild animals, stating that such practices pose a serious threat to public safety.
“There will be no compromise on public security,” she said, adding that the government is committed to enforcing wildlife laws strictly.
She also appealed to citizens to report any illegal ownership of lions or other wild animals through the 1107 helpline.
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