The Mirpur Administration in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has imposed the prohibition of the installation of sheds or pigeons on the roofs of residential and commercial buildings in urban areas, citing concerns about the law and order.
As spring brings beauty and vegetation to Mirpur, it has also caused an increase in pigeon racing activities, with local young people who spend day and night tending to their birds on the roofs. However, these activities have sometimes led to violent disputes, with young people who ignore privacy and have participated in clashes, some of which have become violence.
On several occasions, such altercations have involved the use of weapons, resulting in multiple injuries. In response to these incidents, the District Administration has taken measures, hoping that the new prohibition scrub such occurrences and restorates peace.
The district magistrate Yasir Riaz announced the ban under section 188 of the Pakistan Criminal Code, which prohibits the installation of pigeon cages, platforms or any enclosure in the roofs of the entire district.
“Residents, particularly young people, often make bets in pigeons at various times of day and night, which sometimes leads to violent conflicts,” Riaz explained.
The prohibition will apply for two months, although Riaz clarified that it does not extend to flying pigeons within the city. Residents are still allowed to keep pigeons inside their homes, but the practice of keeping them in the roofs is prohibited.
While the pigeon races in themselves remain without exploit, Riaz warned that strict legal action will be taken if the game is involved in these races, in line with the relevant laws.
The local resident AQIB Ahmed expressed its support for the decision of the District Administration, believing that the ban will help reduce violent incidents associated with pigeons in the area.
The Mirpur district administration also referred to a similar prohibition in Punjab, but when verifying, it was discovered that there is no such general prohibition in the province. There are restrictions in certain Punjab cities near airports and air bases, where pigeon cages are restricted for safety reasons, but the generalized prohibition mentioned by Mirpur officials does not apply to the entire province.
