ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed the authorities to complete investigation into recent deaths of animals at the Islamabad Zoo. A single-member judge bench of Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard a case related to implementation of the court's verdict regarding shifting of all animals from Marghazar Zoo to suitable sanctuaries.
The bench directed the authorities to submit report about deaths of animals by August 11. The IHC bench also expressed annoyance at the authorities including the Ministry of Climate Change, the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI), and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) over the failure to protect the animals.
Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Naheed S Durrani appeared before the court. During the hearing, Justice Athar remarked that the members of the Wildlife Management Board were responsible for the deaths of the animals, adding the minister for climate change and the CDA chairperson were all, on the board.
Justice Athar said those who were responsible for the deaths of the animals were also the ones investigating the matter, adding the federal cabinet had appointed the advisor, special assistant, the minister, all as board members. He remarked that the court could see that everyone was merely interested in taking credit and taking control of the zoo.
He said Pakistan's governance system was also reflective of that process. The IHC CJ said that everyone was playing politics, and added that "do not tarnish the name of the country in this way". He further said the entire world witnessed the cruelty meted out to the animals there. The secretary climate informed the court that the gazette notification of the formation of the Wildlife Management Board had not been issued.
Justice Minallah said the court had directed that the board be constituted and the federal cabinet gave its approval. He said it was shameful to try to confuse the matter, and directed her to identify all the board members, and submit the report before the court.
The deputy attorney general informed the court that an FIR had been registered against unidentified individuals for the deaths of the animals. The court observed that it was easy to take credit but difficult to claim responsibility.
It added that an FIR ought to be lodged against all members of the wildlife management board. Then the court directed to submit the report in the matter by August 11, and deferred the hearing till then.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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