In a high-profile case concerning commercial activities in Islamabad's Margalla National Park, the Supreme Court has voiced strong criticism regarding the management and recent administrative decisions related to the park.
Heading the bench, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa questioned the constitutionality of the decisions, stating that the Constitution had been undermined. The chief justice expressed disbelief that the Interior Ministry had been tasked with overseeing the park, suggesting that this responsibility should not fall under its purview.
"Bureaucrats are servants of the people. We still haven't done away with the save mindset. We can send a contempt notice to the cabinet secretary," he remarked, stating that the Constitution had been made a joke. "Is it the job of the Ministry of Interior to take care of the National Park?"
He taunted that the police and law enforcement agencies had eliminated terrorism, and now they would look after the park, saying that everything, including education and health, should be given to the Interior Ministry. "Peace has been established in the country, now the Interior Ministry will protect the national park."
He criticized the government's handling, noting that the park's management was shifted without proper procedural adherence.
On being asked by the CJP who ordered the transfer of Wildlife Board to the Interior Ministry, the climate change secretary replied that the Climate Change Ministry did not send any summary, it was the prime minister's decision. The CJP then asked who ordered the removal of Wildlife Board chairperson Rina Saeed Khan, to which the secretary said it was decided by Prime Minister's Coordinator Romina Khurshid Alam.
Ms Alam, however, interjected that she did not ask for the removal. To this, CJP Isa remarked that either the secretary was lying or Ms Alam. "Did someone call from high authorities or a call came from khalai makhlooq?" he asked. "Should the National Park be given to the Interior Ministry?"
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Both the climate change secretary and PM's coordinator opposed the transfer decision.
The Supreme Court summoned key figures, including Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan. The court has also ordered the presence of Luqman Ali Afzal, the owner of Monal, in the case of removal of the Wildlife Board chairperson.
The CJP directed to bring the matter to the notice of the prime minister. He asked about the personal connections between the cabinet secretary and the Monal owner, at which the additional attorney general replied he was unaware of any personal connection. He expressed frustration over the alleged attempt to overturn the Supreme Court’s previous orders, remarking: "What can be a more serious contempt of court?"
The CJP remarked that on the request of the Wildlife Board, the court had given a verdict on the protection of Margalla National Park, adding that the government first removed the board chairman and then its members. "Is this what's called good governance?" he questioned.
He further said that according to the petitioner, the cabinet secretary and the restaurant owner are brothers, asking if brothers will not help each other, who will. "Do Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and Monal owner Luqman Ali Afzal own the country?" he asked. "Kamran Ali Afzal got Rina Saeed removed from her post after getting a summary approved by the prime minister."
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan appeared in court, while the CJP ordered to ensure the presence of the cabinet secretary as well.
The court then sought the government's response on the transfer of Margalla Hills National Park to the Interior Ministry as well as the details of Pine City, a housing project on Margalla Hills. The attorney general assured the court of bringing the issues of the dismissal of Rina Saeed and transfer of the national park to the notice of the prime minister.
On the assurance of the attorney general, the court adjourned the hearing till August 15.
During the hearing, CJP Isa expressed indignation at the federal government, saying military generals and bureaucrats had taken over the system of the country. He also expressed anger over the cabinet secretary referring to the prime minister as "sahab" (sir). "Break the chains of slavery, a prime minister is not a sahab," he remarked, adding that saying Shehbaz Sharif sahab makes more sense.
Cabinet Secretary Kamran Afzal denied before the court he sent the summary for transferring the national park to the Interior Ministry, claiming that the prime minister himself issued the order that reached him. "You did not tell the prime minister that it is against the rules?" asked the CJP. "The PM does not have the authority to do anything. The rules are communicated to him by the bureaucrats."
The attorney general assured the court of stopping the process of transferring the Wildlife Board under the Interior Ministry, as well as action on the notification for removal of the Wildlife Board chairperson. The dismissal of the chairperson was then stayed.
