The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the authorities concerned to review the notification pertaining to the allotment of 8,000 acres of land in Margala National Park to the Military Directorate, saying that the allotment of this land to the Military Directorate is illegal.
Chief Justice IHC Athar Minallah issued these remarks while hearing the cases pertaining to illegal constructions on Margalla National Park on Tuesday. He said that the government issues a lot of statements on climate change, but does nothing about the National Park, adding that there is no rule of law when it comes to wildlife. Justice Minallah added that the board of management merely cares about Trail Four Five and Sixth.
Further, Justice Athar Minallah noted that the Environmental Agency and Capital Development Authority (CDA) facilitates the powerful instead of acting against violators. He further remarked that 8,000 acres were given to those who did not have legal status to receive it. He ordered the government to stop all kind of construction in the park.
The high court chief justice said that the construction of Monal Restaurant was done at the behest of certain individuals, and the record of the same is available.
The hearing was adjourned till December 8 by the chief justice who asked the federal government to further address the matter.
