IHC issues stay against import of rare breed animals

The Islamabad High Court (IHC), in a case pertaining to the import of rare breed animals, has ordered the Ministry of Climate Change to make the requisite amendment in the import policy as per international agreements.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah, hearing the case, remarked that it was giving a last opportunity to the ministry to formulate an amended import policy.

The representative of the ministry adopted the stance that it was the commerce ministry’s responsibility to amend the law, and prayed the court to issue instructions in this regard. To this, the chief justice remarked whether the lawyer wanted this court to run the affairs of government, adding that this was not the court's job.

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The court responsibility was to just interpret the law, he added.

The chief justice said the import policy should have been amended in light of Act 2012 and international agreements.

He asked whether the responsibility of the Ministry of Climate Change was just to plant trees.

The court extended its stay order against the import of rare species for three weeks and adjourned the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2021.