A piece of bad news for Chahat Fateh Ali Khan fans and lovers who enjoyed his song ‘Bado Badi’. The viral hit has been taken down from YouTube after accumulating over 28 million views. The removal was due to copyright claims, as the legendary singer Noor Jehan owned the original song.
.Kashif Rana, who performs under the name Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, is a British Pakistani musician and a former first-class cricketer.
The song ‘Bado Badi’ has been trending on Instagram and YouTube Shorts. The title ‘Bado Badi’ is a Punjabi phrase. The original song, titled ‘Ankh Ladi Bado Badi,’ was sung by Noor Jehan for the film ‘Banarasi Thug.’
Jashn-e-Rekhta, the famous Urdu literary festival, is coming to Dubai on 27 and 28 January, 2024. It’s a two-day celebration of the Urdu language with poetry, talk shows, ghazals, and storytelling. The festival starts at Zabeel Park with a panel discussion called ‘Urdu Tehzeeb aur Rishton ki Lazzat’.
(The Delight of Urdu Culture and Relationships), featuring Javed Akhtar and Arfa Sayeda Zehra.The event will also feature a stage play, a Sufi concert by Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan, and a performance about the life of Noor Jehan. Don’t miss the enchanting session of Sufi music called ‘Shab-e Rafta’ from 9 pm to 11 pm.
There’s a talk show with Sameena Peerzada and Usmaan Peerzada, followed by an interactive session with Mahira Khan, Shabana Azmi, and Shekhar Kapur. And let’s not forget about ‘Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaau’n,’ a project combining poetry, songs, narration, and music with Javed Akhtar, Meiyang Chang, and Jahnvi Shrimankar. The grand international mushaira ‘Gehan aur Dhoop’ will showcase amazing poets like Anwar Shaoor, Farhat Ehsad, Zehra Nigah, Shakeel Azmi, and Abbas Tabish. It’s going to be a cultural fusion like no other. And with delicious food at Aiwan-e-Zaiqa Food Bazaar and an Urdu Bazaar with art, handicrafts, and books, it’s going to be a fantastic experience.
Sri Lanka’s High Commission in Pakistan has denied reports that the island nation plans to give two elephants to the country.
Media reports had stated last week that Sri Lanka was gifting two elephants to Pakistan, after the demise of the Karachi Zoo’s Tanzanian elephant Noor Jehan. The pachyderm died after a very public battle with illness exacerbated by neglect from Zoo officials.
The news was met with backlash from Pakistani social media users, including celebrities like Nadia Jamil, who took to Twitter to condemn the possibility, pointing out that Pakistan had no proper policy about the well-being and care of Zoo animals, which had led to Noor Jehan’s death.
I beg Sri Lanka, DO NOT GIVE PAKISTAN ANY ELEPHANTS. NOT until Pakistan develops a policy to protect animals in its zoos and learns to take care of animals as they should be taken care of. Please. No more tragic deaths. Please spare more animals from suffering like Noorjehan https://t.co/cQmczn5DxB
However, a tweet posted by the Sri Lankan High Commission has put the rumors to rest.
“Sri Lanka has not taken action or discussed in providing Elephants to the Zoo’s in Karachi or Lahore, neither Government of Pakistan has made any such request. This post indicate the correct position in view of certain articles in media and discussions on going on social media.”
Sri Lanka has not taken action or discussed in providing Elephants to the Zoo’s in Karachi or Lahore, neither Government of Pakistan has made any such request. This post indicate the correct position in view of certain articles in media and discussions on going on social media. pic.twitter.com/ErMF7hJXAn
— Sri Lanka High Commission in Pakistan (@SLinPakistan) April 25, 2023
The post did clarify that there was some truth to the claims, because the Sri Lankan Honorary Counsel in Lahore Yasin Joyia, had discussed the possibility of providing elephants to Pakistan, but he did not hold any authority to execute such decisions.
After the tragic death of Karachi Zoo’s ailing elephant Noor Jehan after years of neglect and abuse, Sri Lankan authorities announced that they were donating two elephants to Pakistan. According to Geo News, Sri Lankan Honorary Counsel Yasin Joya announced that one will be given to Karachi Zoo and the other one to Lahore Zoo.
Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul Yasin Joya has expressed grief over the death of Noor Jahan, who was orphaned at the Karachi Zoo. In an exclusive conversation with Geo News in Lahore, Yasin Joya said that Sri Lanka will donate two elephants to Pakistan…https://t.co/FSwrAIdAf6pic.twitter.com/LMPNldhMQy
— City’s for Elephants & Rhinos (@CitysFElephants) April 23, 2023
Celebrities like veteran actress Nadia Jamil spoke out against this decision, slamming the Pakistani government for providing poor facilities for the animals that had led to Noor Jehan’s death.
“I beg Sri Lanka, DO NOT GIVE PAKISTAN ANY ELEPHANTS. NOT until Pakistan develops a policy to protect animals in its zoos and learns to take care of animals as they should be taken care of. Please. No more tragic deaths. Please spare more animals from suffering like Noorjehan.”
I beg Sri Lanka, DO NOT GIVE PAKISTAN ANY ELEPHANTS. NOT until Pakistan develops a policy to protect animals in its zoos and learns to take care of animals as they should be taken care of. Please. No more tragic deaths. Please spare more animals from suffering like Noorjehan https://t.co/cQmczn5DxB
Other celebrities like Anushay Ashraf and Ahmed Ali Butt mourned the loss of Noor Jehan, and slammed the Karachi authorities for their limited resources which had led to the neglected conditions of animals at Karachi Zoo. In a now-expired post on her Instagram stories, Ashraf pointed out how zoos are not safe places for animals, and should not be entertainment facilities for humans:
“Another reminder for the govt that zoos are a place where animals are kept in captivity for our entertainment. This narrative cannot work in 2023. Am sure they tried their best with Nuri, but the concept is faulty to begin with. No one trusts the animals are getting the best possible care anyway. And chargingn money to see animals behind cages is a narrative the world has grown out of.”
Singer and actor Ahmed Ali Butt slammed the decision to import elephants from Sri Lanka, because as he wrote:
“We don’t deserve a zoo, just like everything else in this country, animals and their care is the least of our worries. This is just a feather in our incompetetnt cap.”
Ever since the poor condition of animals at Karachi Zoo, particularly the ailing elephant Noor Jehan, has gone viral on social media, local and international wildlife activists have slammed authorities for neglecting their charges.
Several international activists have criticized Pakistani authorities for failing to care for Noor Jehan, sharing clips of the elephant lying on the ground. However, some tweets by international activists have ventured into the realm of racism.
CAPTURED WILDLIFE – PAKISTAN #NoorJehan ■Wild born ■Captured in #Tanzania ■Shipped to #Pakistan ■Behind bars at Karachi Zoo ■14 years on concrete ■Controlled by Bullhook. Today she lies suffering under a tree with multiple injuries. She cannot live & cannot die… pic.twitter.com/3tv1ricRhU
Wildlife activist and artist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto addressed international criticism in an Instagram post, reminding critics that despite government negligence, corruption and limited facilities, it was Pakistanis who stepped up to provide resources and raised calls to shut down the zoo and provide treatment for Noor Jehan.
“In a country as poor as ours – many have poured their hearts and soul into caring for Noor Jehan. Doctors from Agha Khan are attending to her wounds as we speak. Their first non-human patient. Yes she was cruelly neglected like many of the animals in the zoo are now. But it was Pakistanis who highlighted their suffering. Form Paw Pakistan to local activists. It was Pakistanis who advocated for the animals in the zoo.
Don’t blame the mahoots who are also victims of a cruel hierarchy. Don’t blame the volunteers staying up day in and day out – sacrificing the time they could be spending with their own families.”
Actor Yashma Gill shared a video clip of her visiting Karachi Zoo to see the facility’s ailing elephant Noor Jehan, whose condition is growing worse day by day.
Karachi Zoo has been slammed by animal right activists for neglecting the animals under its care. Noor Jehan’s prolonged illness and mishandling of her ailment led to national outrage on social media.
Gill discussed her experience of watching the elephant fight for her life:
“As I stood before Noor Jehan, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for her unrelenting spirit. Despite her illness, she remains hopeful and determined, a true symbol of resilience. Her eyes hold a gentle yet unwavering gaze, a testament to her will to live. Her sheer strength and perseverance were truly inspiring, leaving me with a renewed sense of hope and optimism.”
Gill rejected eeports that the elephant will be euthanized as her illness shows no improvement, asking authorities to keep fighting hard for Noor Jehan and give her the best possible chance at life:
“For me, the answer is clear – we must do everything in our power to give her a chance to heal and recover. No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, we owe it to Noor Jehan to give her the best possible chance at life. After all, where there’s a will, there’s always a way.”
Anoushay Ashraf had also joined the growing cry to shut down Karachi Zoo when she shared a clip of herself visiting elephant Noor Jehan and talking to the wildlife expert Maira over there.
Update on #NoorJehan Requesting everyone to keep the pressure going. Its 2023, zoos are an outdated concept tbh. Yes to sanctuaries, parks and conservation of nature/wildlife. No to caged animals in zoos! pic.twitter.com/MjobyUuxOX
Celebrities like Hamza Ali Abbasi, Arooj Aftab and Ayesha Noor had joined the rallying cry to shut down zoos across Pakistan, by sharing how the animals suffering in cages are deprived of the natural habitat and are not given the proper facilities they need to survive:
Arooj Aftab had re shared a clip of her interview with The Current, and in the caption she said that authorities could build much better entertainment facilities for children:
The ‘Maula Jatt’ actor had shared pictures of the lions in Karachi Zoo, who were suffering from starvation and neglect, and demanded that authorities shut down the zoo and transport the animals to proper shelters.
If #NoorJehan’s suffering was not enough, these r the lions of Karachi Zoo. Plz raise ur voice to close all Zoos in Pak & transfer these animals to thr natural habitat. The suffering of these animals is unnecessary & can be easily ended. Pic by @tapujaveri#CloseAllZoosInPakpic.twitter.com/WATeYVAy4Q
Actor Hamza Ali Abbas has joined the chorus of voices calling for zoos across Pakistan to be shut down. As the country watches veterinarians try to save the life of one of Karachi Zoo’s elephants, Noor Jehan, celebrities have lent support to the demand that the animals be shifted to sanctuaries.
Taking to Instagram, the ‘Maula Jatt’ actor shared a clip of a post by Express Tribune, slamming authorities for not caring about the welfare of the animals:
“We can’t take care of animals in zoo’s- it is better than to receive curses from animals that we should ban zoos and send the animals to a safer place.”
Abbasi’s criticism comes after countless celebrities, including Grammy award winner Arooj Aftab, raised their voices to support animals and shut down zoos. Aftab re-shared a clip from her interview with The Current where she had talked about the abysmal conditions of animals in Lahore’s zoo, calling for better facilities to be set up for animals.
Just as Noor Jehan improved, she fell into a concrete pond built inside her shelter, leading to worsening of her condition. Authorities had remained in contact with the animal welfare organization Four Paws to coordinate for her treatment.
Yesterday, The Nation reported that Minister of Climate Change and member of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sherry Rehman, had advised Sindh government to shut down Karachi Zoo, and for the animals to be moved to enclosures where they are provided with proper facilities.
Noor Jehan, an elephant in Karachi Zoo, is critically ill after the 17-year-old fell in a pond in a small enclosure. She has since been lying visibly weak with limited motion on a mound of sand, propped up against the only tree inside the enclosure. Noor Jehan’s condition is a reminder that we have imprisoned animals in cages for the entertainment of the people. We humans are the reason that the animals suffer and bear so much torture and pain.
Wild animals are unlikely to survive or live happily in an artificial environment like the ones we provide them at the zoos. Moving them from their natural habitat and from their community puts them under great stress. It is no secret that animals in Pakistani zoos are kept in poor conditions.
The wildlife parks and zoos of Pakistan are characterised by a weak governance system. The animals lying in the zoos and wildlife parks of Pakistan are ignored with regard to their physical and mental well-being. They are not properly provided with adequate nutritional food and are seldom treated effectively for their physical ailments. There are about 10 public zoos, 25 private zoos and 28 wildlife parks in Pakistan. Neither of these are authorised by any recognised association of zoos and aquariums. The animals kept in these zoos are often neglected. Not only is their food and nutrition ignored but several other environmental issues thwart their well-being. Several zoos lack veterinary professionals, owing to which the animals do not get ample medical help whenever required. Some animals die due to lack of adequate required treatment adding to the plight of the zoos of Pakistan.
This brutality towards animals has been there because of continuous negligence being directed towards them. This isn’t the first time we are witnessing the suffering of animals at zoos and this definitely doesn’t seem to be the last time either. In 2020, American singer Cher arrived in Pakistan to send off Kaavan, an elephant in Islamabad Zoo she had spent years trying to free, before his move to a Cambodian sanctuary. Animal rights advocates had campaigned for the 36-year-old Asian elephant to be rescued from grim conditions.
Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman, has said that there is a no-zoo Islamabad model of rescue and rehab centre and transition sanctuary, in the federal capital. The Islamabad zoo where the bears and the elephant were kept have now been closed. Pakistan should stand firmly against any kind of animal cruelty and take timely action to stop it.
We all need to stand up for the animals and treat them right. It took one Noor Jehan to make us realise that zoo animals suffer from continued neglect and will continue to die and go through pain if our policies don’t change. So if, we cannot take care of our animals, we should close the zoos and free the animals. We Pakistanis don’t deserve them.
Karachi Zoo’s ailing elephant Noor Jehan suffered another setback on Thursday after she fell into a concrete pond inside her pen. According to Karachi Times, the elephant had to be pulled out with the help of cranes and was not moving much after that.
Speaking to Geo News, Safari Park Director Kanwar Ayub said that the unfortunate accident happened on Thursday night, leading to worsening of Noor Jehan’s pain. He further added that her treatment was still being supervised by foreign doctors.
17 year old elephant #NoorJehan , who recently went through a surgery by foreign doctors , reportedly fell into to a concrete pond which further worsened her condition. #Karachi#TOKAlertpic.twitter.com/jC80Z6V4ZU
Activists and celebrities slammed the Zoo’s management authorities for mishandling animals and the overall poor state of the facility.
Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari shared a video of Noor Jehan in distress on Twitter, demanding that the zoo should be shut down because of it’s inability to provide proper facilities to animals.
“#KarachiZoo should be shut down because it is clearly beyond the capacity of KMC.”
Actress Ayesha Omar too posted a video clip of Noor Jehan on her Instagram page, asking her followers about how could they help in ensuring the elephant receives proper treatment.
Actor Yashma Gill shared a video clip on her Instagram stories of Noor Jehan, and wrote that for the sake of Ramzan, the zoo needs to shut down.
“Please for the sake of this holy month join hands in this cause and help in BOYCOTTING this zoo culture!”
Nadia Jamil prayed that the elephant’s critical condition is ressolved as she shared a clip of Noor Jehan after her surgery
Veteran actress Simi Rahael shared a tweet that slammed Karachi Zoo’s administration for the poor condition of Noor Jehan, and in the caption she shared the hashtag #banzoo and #stopanimalcruelty
International animal relief organization Four Paws also posted updates from their Twitter account, stating that they had coordinated all night with the local team to try and save the elephant’s life.
The FOUR PAWS team worked until late at night together with the local team via video calls to find possible solutions to save her. And today our efforts continue, we won’t give up on her!
Earlier, Four Paws had flown its veterinarians to Karachi to operate on Noor Jehan after her condition had gotten worse. In a press release, they had written that in 2021, the organisation had strongly recommended that both elephants should be shifted from Karachi Zoo as the facilities there do not comply with international standards. However, no such measures were taken by the authorities.
On April 5, Dr Amir Khalil, the head of Four Paws, revealed that the surgery on Noor Jehan had been successful, hoping that authorities would comply with the organization by relocating both elephants, Noor Jehan and Madhubala, to a proper facility equipped to handle the animals.
On April 7, Times of Karachi announced that the Director of Karachi Zoo, Khalid Hashmi, had been suspended due to negligence and mismanagement which had led to Noor Jehan’s illness.
Director #KarachiZoo Khalid Hashmi has been suspended from Safari Park and recreation posts, over exhibiting negligence in the medical treatment of sick elephant ‘Noor Jehan’. The municipal commission of the KMC handed over the responsibilities of Hashmi to the local got’s… pic.twitter.com/61ay7Fa4Kg
International animal welfare group Four Paws has reached Karachi on April 4 to examine and begin treatment of ailing elephant, Noor Jehan. In a press release posted on their website, Four Paws revealed that since 2021, they have been strongly recommending that both elephants Noor Jehan and Madhubala are shifted from Karachi Zoo, as the facility does not comply with international standards of providing habitable living conditions for animals.
“However, no such measures to relocate them have been taken,” the post read.
The team was led by the head of the organization, Dr Amir Khalil, along with Dr Frank Göritz and Prof Dr Thomas Hildebrandt from the Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), and Dr Marina Ivanova from FOUR PAWS. Khalil spoke to journalists about Noor Jehan’s condition yesterday, as reported by Dawn and Express Tribune.
He said that Jehan needs a detailed medical examination which includes endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, in order to provide proper insight into her condition.
“We don’t know what went wrong with her. But, her condition has deteriorated very fast within a few weeks. She has got swelling on her hind legs as well as genital parts and she could barely walk. Right now, she has a 50-50 chance for survival,” he said.
Khalil went on to reveal that their team was setting up a crane, wench and a fire brigade to help the animal remain stable and upright during surgery:
“Our greatest concern is not to let the animal fall down. We fear that if Noor Jehan falls down, she it will not get up again. We will find out tomorrow whether it’s a fracture, trauma or an infection.”
Today, the Karachi Metropolitan Center (KMC) spoke to DAWN and revealed that they were ready to facilitate the team in every way to help the elephants, and were making preparations to send them to Safari Park:
“We are with Four Paws. All departments are ready to arrange any logistics needed for medical procedures. We are also making preparations to shift both zoo elephants to Safari Park within a month as per experts’ recommendation,” said Dr. Saif-ur-Rehman, Karachi Administrator.
Rehman went on to add that Noor Jehan had been suffering from a neurological deficiency for the past two or three months which had impacted her hind legs. The government did not have the facilities for the treatment Noor Jehan needed in Pakistan which is why the international group was approached to help diagnose her illness and provide a solution.
“The kind of treatment Noor Jehan requires isn’t available in Pakistan. So, we approached the international group to help us diagnose her illness and suggest and offer treatment, if possible,” Dr Rehman said.
