The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Wildlife department has seized two pairs of shoes of snakeskin, being made as an Eid gift for the Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The renowned Peshawari Style Shoes (chappal) were being made by Noorudddin Shinwari, (widely known as Nooruddin Chacha), who owns Afghan Chappal House located at Namak Mandi – Peshawar. The shoes were taken into custody, as the trade of snakeskin is illegal under the Wildlife Act 2015.
According to the act, possession of any wild or exotic animals (living or dead) is not allowed without a license. The only snake protected under the law is Python’s. The offender may be punished with a maximum fine of Rs.45000 or two years of imprisonment or both. District Forest Officer Wildlife, Aleem Khan briefed that the confiscated shoes are under verification by the concerned department for the type of skin used.
Noorudin commented on the situation that the skin was sent by a man named Noman, residing in the USA. He ordered two pairs, one for himself and the other for PM Khan as an Eid gift. Nooruddin may have to face legal implications after the verification.
The store got public’s eye after a specially designed pair was gifted to Imran Khan on his wedding. The traditional Peshawari shoes became prominent after they were named as Kaptaan Chappal.
Latest Update:
As per the latest proceedings, Nooruddin chacha has received the confiscated shoes back from the wildlife department. After the verification, the skin has been identified as Python’s.
Sub Divisional Forest Officer Amir Ali, confirmed that the articles were returned to the cobbler after receiving a fine of Rs.50,000. Furthermore, he has been warned to not to use any skin of wild or exotic animals in the future. The fine was imposed, as no legal document was presented to validate the import or use of the skin.
