In a bizarre turn of events, the residents of Karachi were shocked to spot a man driving through the crowded streets of the city with a lioness in the back of his pickup truck.
After a mobile phone video of the lioness in the truck went viral, the police were swift in taking action. The people expressed genuine concerns regarding their safety. Sindh interior minister Sohail Anwar Siyal too directed police to take action.
Saqlain Jawaid, the “owner” of the lioness arrested from his home and the lioness was taken into custody, as reported by the Pakistani media.
Jawaid claims that he has all the relevant documents required to keep the animal at a “private mini zoo” and was only taking the big cat for a regular check-up to the vet, as she was not keeping well.
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In contrast with his claims, police said that the permit issued to Jawaid by the wildlife department of Sindh province to run a “private mini zoo” expired in June last year. A FIR was registered against Jawaid, with his documents under verification, according to officials.
The video that went viral shows pedestrians and drivers staring in shock at the lioness, sitting in the back of the pickup truck. The persons who filmed the video question the motivations and logic behind transporting a dangerous animal in an open vehicle.
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Pakistani media also several posted photos of Jawaid with the lioness, including one that showed the big cat licking his face.