I whole heartedly welcome all the new members and congratulate the existing members on the launch of “Pakistan Hunting Association” website .It gives me immense pleasure to see a big group of likeminded people interacting under one platform. Pakistan Hunting Association which was previously known as “Pakistan Hunting Community” on www.orkut.com , has come a long way, perhaps longer than what I had envisioned in 2004, while launching PHC.I am grateful to each one of you for this success story, specially the existing bunch of energetic and dedicated members.

Hunting for most is more than an activity or a hobby , but a passion. Hunting in Pakistan goes back a long way, to times of the subcontinent. Pakistan is a country not only rich in culture, but in wildlife too. From the snow covered peaks of the great Himalayas in the North to the deserts adjoining the Arabian see in south, Pakistan has a variety of terrains which has been providing a heaven for different species of local plus migratory game birds and animals. Only a few countries in the world have such diverse terrain of rivers, deltas, mountains, Forests, deserts, marshlands, lakes and cultivated land. Pakistan is a country blessed with natural treasures.

It is saddening to see the declining population of our game birds and animals. In some cases an alarming extinction of species has been observed. The reason for the above is believed to be poaching along with the negligence by the departments concerned. There are many international organizations working in Pakistan for the uplifting of wildlife and for the conservation of the endangered species.

I believe that a change can be brought in, not just by inviting international organizations to help, but by a collective effort on our part as a nation. Pakistan Hunting Association’s main focus is to promote the culture of ethical hunting of which conservation is a major part .We need to educate our youth about ethical hunting, which by all means is a healthy activity. We need to eradicate poaching by providing incentives to the poachers themselves and turn the story the other way around. This I believe can be attained with effort on out part. I expect our members to contribute in any form for the betterment of game species of Pakistan. Even educating the locals of your respective areas is a contribution. Those who are well connected or well established, may contribute by using their influence with the concerned departments by conducting conservation programmes in coordination with the departments in their respective areas or by independent conservation programmes.

I would like to Thank all the active members for their support, guidance and the motivation they have been providing.the list of names is too long to mention here for those who have stood by me and even today stand with for a good cause. Special thanks to Mr Asif Alam Khan, who has helped me with the launch of this website.

I hope that PHA will go a long way and set a landmark in the Hunting Heritage of Pakistan by providing an organized hunting and a conservation culture in the times to come.

Shahnawaz Khan
Founder, Pakistan Hunting Association.