SC concerned over mining in Margallas

ISLAMABAD:

The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial Monday expressed deep concerns over the ongoing mining activities in the Margalla Hills.

During a hearing of a case concerning forests nationwide, the chief justice observed that while there are forests on the Islamabad side of Margalla Hills, mining continues unabated on the other side.

A three-member bench headed by the CJP sought detailed information from all four provinces regarding the retrieval of forest lands and the extent of mining in the Margalla Hills.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial emphasised the importance of addressing the issue of encroachments on forest lands and inquired about the steps being taken by the governments to promote afforestation. He specifically directed the provincial governments to provide information on the number of trees sold and the number of trees planted thus far.

Furthermore, the chief justice inquired whether the forest department's land is being leased through public-private partnerships.

The legal counsel representing the government clarified that the area on the other side of Margalla Hills falls within the jurisdiction of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The CJP demanded that the governments provide the court with a comprehensive report on the matter. The hearing was adjourned for a month.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2023.