IHC bans construction in National Park

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday placed a ban on construction in the National Park area in Islamabad.

IHC deemed permission for construction of a fence on national park’s land as the misconduct of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (IMC).

A single-member bench of IHC comprising Justice Mohsin Akther Kiyani reserved the judgment on the case filed by a citizen against alleged grabbing of National Park’s land in Islamabad by a senator.

A detailed order would be issued on the matter, he said. Justice Kayani directed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should prepare a reference against Senator Aurangzeb Orakzai for allegedly occupying the government land.

Addressing the senator, the judge asked why he had constructed a fence to occupy the land.

Mayor Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz said IMC had only given permission to the senator for tree plantation and not that of any construction on the government land. The IMC could demolish the fence if the court issued a order.On this, Justice Kayani remarked that it would not be a favour to the court rather it was the IMC's legal duty to protect the government land from grabbers.

There was no one in the federal capital to save the state land from grabbers. Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the capital witnessed more land grabbing, he added.

The CDA Director Environment said that his department had given permission only for tree plantation on 10 to 15 acres of land and if more land was occupied then it was a violation.

The court observed that the officer even did not know as to how much land was allowed to be occupied.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2020.