IHC seeks CDA reply on Jan 11 in contempt case

Petition states court stopped construction in Margalla Hills area but work on highway is ongoing

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to the Capital Development Authority on a contempt of court petition against the construction of Margalla Avenue in the area of Margalla Hills National Park and sought a reply by January 11.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the contempt petition filed by a citizen against the construction of Margalla Avenue.

Barrister Natalia Kamal appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioner and maintained that the court had stopped construction in the Margalla Hills National Park area but Margalla Highway was being constructed in violation of the court order.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that Margalla Highway is in accordance with the master plan. “The court cannot stop every development project.”

The court issued a notice to the CDA seeking a reply and directed the registrar's office to fix the petition along with the main case for hearing on January 11.

Earlier on December 8, Chief Justice Minallah heard the cases against encroachments on Margalla National Park.

The court summoned PM’s Special Assistant Malik Amin Aslam and Wildlife Management Board chairman in person for the next hearing on January 11, expressing frustration over non-protection of Margalla National Park.

Justice Minallah remarked that who exceeded the limit of the allotted land?

“Poor slums are demolished without notice,” Justice Minallah said, asking why action wasn’t taken against the illegally built Naval Golf Course on National Park land.

The court asked why the encroached land in Margalla National Park has not been taken back yet.

“The encroachments raise important questions of public interest. The CDA is the final authority for allotment of acquired land.”

He asked did the CDA approve the Naval Headquarters. “Is the Naval Golf Course built on the site that exceeded the limit? If so, who is responsible for it?”

The CDA stated that the Naval Golf Course is not on the allotted land. “Section 21 notice has been given.”

The additional attorney general said that 8,000 acres of land was given to them in 1910 by the Punjab government.

“You cannot change the ownership of a national park,” Justice Minallah remarked.