Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken decisive action after an eight-year-old boy lost his arm in a lion attack, revoking all legal permission to keep wildcats as pets across the province.
The decision comes in the wake of repeated incidents raising serious concerns about public safety.
The incident occurred at a farm in Lahore’s Sabzazar area, where the boy, identified as Wajid, went near the lions’ cage while playing. Authorities reported that the attack happened due to unsafe enclosures and negligence on the part of the animal owners.
Wajid was immediately shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where his injured arm had to be amputated. Hospital officials confirmed that the child’s condition has since stabilized, and he is now out of danger.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Chief Minister expressed deep sympathy for Wajid and his parents and directed that complete medical care be provided, including a modern bionic arm for the child.
Concealment of incident leads to arrests
The farm’s owners reportedly attempted to conceal the incident, providing incomplete information to hospital authorities and coercing the child’s parents into giving false statements. Following CM Maryam’s orders, the suspects were arrested, and a first information report (FIR) was registered against them for deliberate concealment and negligence.
This attack follows a similar case just days earlier, in which an eight-year-old girl was injured by a pet lioness in Lahore’s Bhekewal Pind area. The girl sustained injuries to her leg and ear, and the animal’s owners were subsequently arrested.
Legal Action: Wildcats banned as pets
In response to the incidents, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the removal of the clause permitting the keeping of wildcats from the Punjab Wildlife Act. The move effectively bans keeping pet lions, lionesses, or any wildcats within the province.
CM Maryam emphasized that public safety must take precedence over private ownership of dangerous animals and called for strict monitoring to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Chief Minister personally took notice of the appeal by Wajid’s father on SAMAA and ensured that the child would receive a bionic arm, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting victims of negligence.
