Illegal stone quarrying: Open criminal proceedings against officials responsible, SC
CDA shifts blame onto ICT Administration.
Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the CDA to initiate contempt of court and criminal proceedings against officials who allowed illegal quarrying in the protected Margalla Hills National Park Area (MHNPA).
A three-member bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja also summoned on Thursday (today) the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Industries and Mineral Development director, who in 2012 granted an extension in the mining lease to Fecto cement on 1,312 acres in MHNPA to clarify his office’s position on the issue.
On Wednesday, SA Rehman, the counsel for the CDA, did not appear before the bench, which is hearing a contempt petition moved by citizens over the CDA’s alleged failure to implement an SC verdict on illegal quarrying in the national park area.
The apex court in its October 25, 2014 order directed the CDA chairman to ensure that no construction, stone crushing or other commercial activity should be allowed in the national park.
Through a report submitted by the CDA with the court, the authority informed that in compliance with apex court orders, the CDA had requested the ICT to cancel the lease extension it granted to Fecto Cement, but till date, the lease had not been cancelled.
A 30-year mining lease issued to Fecto Cement expired in 2012. Upon expiry, the CDA on August 6, 2012 issued an NOC for an 18-year extension of the lease.
Based on that NOC, the ICT mineral department granted the extension on December 21, 2012. The CDA later withdrew the NOC on July 11, 2013.
Notably, the ICT and the CDA had issued the NOC and lease extension in violation of several rules governing the MHNPA.
Upon cancellation of the NOC, the CDA asked the ICT to cancel the lease extension, but the Fecto cement management obtained a stay order from a court and now the issue is subjudice before the Islamabad High Court.
“[MHNPA] is the property of generations to come. Criminal proceedings should be initiated against the officers that allowed illegal quarrying,” observed Justice Khawaja.
The bench will resume hearings into the case today (Thursday).
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2015.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the CDA to initiate contempt of court and criminal proceedings against officials who allowed illegal quarrying in the protected Margalla Hills National Park Area (MHNPA).
A three-member bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja also summoned on Thursday (today) the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Industries and Mineral Development director, who in 2012 granted an extension in the mining lease to Fecto cement on 1,312 acres in MHNPA to clarify his office’s position on the issue.
On Wednesday, SA Rehman, the counsel for the CDA, did not appear before the bench, which is hearing a contempt petition moved by citizens over the CDA’s alleged failure to implement an SC verdict on illegal quarrying in the national park area.
The apex court in its October 25, 2014 order directed the CDA chairman to ensure that no construction, stone crushing or other commercial activity should be allowed in the national park.
Through a report submitted by the CDA with the court, the authority informed that in compliance with apex court orders, the CDA had requested the ICT to cancel the lease extension it granted to Fecto Cement, but till date, the lease had not been cancelled.
A 30-year mining lease issued to Fecto Cement expired in 2012. Upon expiry, the CDA on August 6, 2012 issued an NOC for an 18-year extension of the lease.
Based on that NOC, the ICT mineral department granted the extension on December 21, 2012. The CDA later withdrew the NOC on July 11, 2013.
Notably, the ICT and the CDA had issued the NOC and lease extension in violation of several rules governing the MHNPA.
Upon cancellation of the NOC, the CDA asked the ICT to cancel the lease extension, but the Fecto cement management obtained a stay order from a court and now the issue is subjudice before the Islamabad High Court.
“[MHNPA] is the property of generations to come. Criminal proceedings should be initiated against the officers that allowed illegal quarrying,” observed Justice Khawaja.
The bench will resume hearings into the case today (Thursday).
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2015.