Pakistan releases hunting falcons 'from Qatari royal'

Custom officials in the Pakistani city of Karachi have released 52 falcons that they say were unlawfully transported into the country.

Officials say the falcons were brought from Qatar by a member of its royal family without proper documentation.

They say another 22 birds have been handed back to the Qataris.

Members of Gulf royal families routinely bring in falcons for hunting birds and other animals in Pakistan, with government sanction.

The Qatari embassy was given several days to produce paperwork relating to the import of the birds - but customs officials say documents for only 22 could be furnished.    More