Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced financial aid of Rs500,000 for each of the three victims injured in a recent lion attack in Lahore.
The attack occurred in Johar Town when a lion, illegally kept at a private farmhouse in the Shah Di Khoi area, escaped over a wall and attacked passersby, injuring a woman and two children. The children remain under treatment at a local hospital.
In response, CM Maryam Nawaz directed the provincial government to extend immediate assistance to the victims.
Following the incident, the Punjab Wildlife Department launched a province-wide crackdown against the illegal ownership of dangerous wild animals. Authorities seized 18 lions from multiple cities and arrested five people during the operations. Five FIRs were registered, and investigations began in two additional cases.
The most extensive action took place on July 5 in Lahore, where Punjab Wildlife Director General Mubeen Elahi led a raid on a private breeding facility along Bedian Road. The raid resulted in the confiscation of five lions—three males and two females.
In total, nine lions were seized in Lahore alone, four individuals were detained, one private facility was sealed, and three FIRs were lodged.
Marking a major policy shift, the Punjab government also announced measures to regulate big cat ownership, including plans for sterilizing privately owned lions, tigers, and leopards. Additionally, a phased ban on the commercial trade of these animals is set to be enforced.
In an interview, DG Mubeen Elahi shared that this is Punjab’s first structured policy aimed at addressing unregulated private ownership of big cats. Owners were given until May 2 to formally declare their animals. So far, 180 licensed wildlife breeding farms have submitted declarations, with verification underway. To date, 40 facilities have been successfully verified.
