LAHORE: A petition seeking to restrain the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) from bringing lion, its election symbol, out in rallies in connection with campaign for the July 25 polls was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Advocate Muneer Ahmed petitioned the high court, requesting it to restrain the formerly governing PML-N from displaying ‘real’ lion during its election campaign.
He submitted that Maryam Nawaz and other party leaders brought lion to their rallies in flagrant violation of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct for the polls.
The petitioner contended bringing wild animals out in rallies posed a serious risk to the lives of people, adding that using them for the campaign purpose instead of providing them natural environment is violation of their fundamental rights.
He said the Commission’s district monitoring officers and the wildlife commission have failed to take any measures to discourage this practice.
Mr. Ahmed, therefore, requested that a ban on display of such animals in rallies be imposed and the relevant authorities be directed to ensure implementation of the code of conduct.
He further pleaded that the court may summon a report from the wildlife department on measures it has so far taken to stop political parties from bringing lion, tiger, and other wild animals to public rallies.
