Lahore: Mian Umar Dhola, the owner of a private wildlife breeding farm, has come forward to clarify the controversy surrounding YouTuber Rajab Butt’s arrest, which occurred during his extravagant wedding event in Lahore.
Dhola revealed that he had gifted a lion cub to Rajab Butt, which was prominently displayed at the wedding. However, he stressed that the arrest was not due to the lion cub but rather for illegal possession of firearms found at Rajab’s residence.
According to Dhola, while the Wildlife Department took notice of the lion cub’s display, it was not acquired illegally. The issue arose because Rajab lacked the required documentation and ownership license for the animal. Dhola admitted that his wildlife breeding farm was also unregistered, further complicating the matter.
The Wildlife Department visited Rajab Butt’s residence to verify the cub’s ownership. Dhola assured officials that the lion cub originated from his farm and pledged to provide the necessary documentation and licenses.
Authorities were reportedly satisfied with the explanation and were about to leave when they discovered illegal weapons at the residence, leading to Rajab’s arrest. The FIR registered against Rajab does not include charges related to the lion cub’s possession.
Mian Umar Dhola stated that he has met with the Director General of Wildlife and the Deputy Director of the Lahore Region, committing to formally register his wildlife farm and obtain the required license to prevent future incidents.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about wildlife ownership laws and the illegal possession of exotic animals in Pakistan.
