Ministry of Defence has approached the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet with a request to grant special exemption to export one horse that would be gifted to Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar. Sources said that the horse would be transported to the state of Qatar; however, Ministry of National Food Security & Research (Livestock Wing) has intimated that there is a ban on export of live animals.
The meeting was informed that the Pakistan Army breeds horses of high quality, which are being used for operational, recreational and ceremonial purposes. These fine quality horses are gifted to friendly states as a goodwill gesture. In this regard, General Headquarters (GHQ) has intimated that one horse would be gifted to Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar on behalf of Chief of Army Staff (CoAS).
GHQ has requested that a special exemption for export of one horse may be obtained from ECC and Quarantine Certificate by the authority concerned on a priority basis. An official maintained that ECC has endorsed the recommendation to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for grant of exemption.