IHC rules against Polyclinic extension in Argentina Park

Court hands over charge of Islamabad zoo to climate change ministry

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has termed the extension of Polyclinic Hospital in place of Argentina Park illegal. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah announced the verdict yesterday.

According to the IHC’s order, the federal government has been directed to restore Argentina Park as its use for extension of Polyclinic is illegal.

In the detailed verdict the court rules that the building of a hospital at the park is a violation of a 1960 ordinance and 1997 Act.

The authority should consider town planning before making that sort of decision. Argentina Park holds too much historical significance to be demolished for a Polyclinic extension.

According to experts, Pakistan is deeply affected by climate change; therefore parks have several advantages besides recreation. The court in the written statement has stated the observation that this is the cruelty of our system that the government itself is violating the laws in Islamabad. To change the park into a hospital it is a clear violation of basic rights given in the constitution, it said.

Islamabad zoo

The IHC has given charge of Islamabad zoo to the climate change secretary amidst saving an injured bear and other animals. From the four pages written by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, it is said that the climate change secretary will assume charge of the zoo before the next hearing. The charge has been given to the climate change secretary due to the previous authority’s maladministration.

According to a statement by the administration of Islamabad zoo in the previous hearing, they said they neither have enough funds nor the required accessories to look after the zoo. The zoo administration has failed to look after the crocodile and Mongolian eagle.

The federal government has formed the board under the Islamabad Wildlife Ordinance; the climate change officer who would assume charge of the zoo said the zoo administration should look after the bear and other animals with the cooperation of board.

The Ministry of Climate Change should ensure the arrangements to look after the animals. The court has appointed a professional for court’s aid in this important problem.

IG issued contempt notice

IG Amir Zulfiqar has been issued contempt of court notice for raiding a lawyer’s home. IHC chief justice issued the notice on the application of Tariq Asad.

Raja Rizwan Abbasi appeared from the plaintiff’s side. During the hearing, in the arguments he said that the court had sought a written report in one week, and the IG did not submit the report; the process of contempt of court should begin against the IG.

The court, while issuing a notice to the IG, sought a reply within in a month’s time. The court then adjourned the next hearing for a month.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2019.