Margalla Hills dotted with eateries, CB informed

CDA asked to submit report on illegal constructions in national park

ISLAMABAD:

The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court on Friday sought a report on illegal constructions in the Margalla Hills National Park of Islamabad, saying that that it was a protected area, where all types of constructions had been declared illegal.

A six-member Constitutional Bench led by Justice Aminuddin Khan heard the case. Sitting on the bench, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired that how many illegal constructions were still left in the Margalla Hills.

The lawyer of the municipal corporation told the court that 80 to 132 constructions were still there. The director general of the Environment Agency informed the bench that more than 50 kiosks were operating in Margalla Hills.

Monal's lawyer told the court that his restaurant was demolished on the court's order, but there still around 134 hotels, restaurants, and kiosks existed in the Margalla Hills. He asked whether the Supreme Court's order was only for Monal?

Justice Mazhar remarked that the Margalla Hills was a protected area where all types of constructions had been declared illegal. Justice Jamal Mandokhel said that the court had set rules regarding construction in the Margalla Hills, which must be followed.

Justice Musarrat Hilali expressed his displeasure with the Capital Development Authority (CDA), saying that the institution was violating the court's orders. Justice Mazhar said that the CDA should first remove

the illegal constructions around Monal.

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan emphasised that the 1960 master plan must be followed to protect the Margalla Hills National Park, but this also included the Supreme Court building. He asked why the CDA was not doing its job.

DG CDA explained that the demolition of the kiosks was prevented by court orders. On this, Justice Aminuddin Khan ordered that a complete report be given on the number of kiosks in the Margalla Hills.

When the case regarding provision voting facilities to Pakistani expatriates came up for hearing, the court was informed that both the relevant institutions had submitted their reports to the court.

Justice Mazhar said that the court had issued orders on the right to overseas Pakistanis to vote many times, and it was important to know the status of their implementation.

He further inquired about the progress made in the reports of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

The additional attorney general informed the court that NADRA and the ECP had submitted their reports. The court directed that the copies of the reports be provided to the parties so that progress could be made in the future stages of the case.