Being “Ashraf-ul-Makhlooqat” does not mean Voiceless be Subjected to Cruelty: IHC

ISLAMABAD, August 27 (Online Int’l): Chairman CDA has tendered an unqualified apology to Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the case pertaining to non-shifting of animals from zoo, death of lions and contempt of court against members of the Wild Life Board.

The case came up for hearing before the single bench of IHC presided over by Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah Thursday. Chairman CDA while filing a reply expressed his ignorance about the matter and prayed the court to accept his unqualified apology. In his reply he told the court he could not even think of committing contempt of court, therefore, the show cause notice be withdrawn.

Suleman Akram Raja appeared on behalf of Zartaj Gul. He requested the court to give more time so that he could file a detailed reply.

Chairman CDA told the court that control of Marghzar Zoo was shifted from the board to the Ministry of Climate Change on July 6, 2020. Wild life Management Board shifted several animals to their shelters in perspective of the court’s orders. The Board and Ministry of Climate Change decided to hold an inquiry into the death of animals. It was further said in the reply that an advisory is playing the role of Wild Life Management Board at present.

The CJ IHC remarked that all have come to get credit but today no one is ready to take responsibility of the death of the animals. The responsibility of the matter is now being shifted to low-grade employees. The Ministry of Climate Change has said it has nothing to do with this matter. What message are we giving to the world? A very bad message has gone forth. The food of animals was stolen in Islamabad. We have not made a mention of it in the verdict for what the world will think. If animals die then a case is registered against a low-grade employee.

He further observed when the matter came in the court then we were told that a new board has been constituted. Later when the situation deteriorated then it was said this is not the actual board. Then we were given the name of a new board. The Prime Minister’s name was also mentioned therein. It will not be even known to the PM what is going on.

Suleman Akram Raja appeared on behalf of Zartaj Gul. He requested the court to give him some time to prepare a detailed reply.

CJ IHC remarked that God Almighty had not created animals for the zoo. One will feel the misery of one’s plight if kept in a cage for only two hours. Being Ashraf-ul-Makhlooqat does not mean that we should subject the voiceless to brutalities. We have to first determine who is responsible for the death of animals. We will fix responsibility when the replies to show cause notices are received from all. As to why those who are responsible for the death of lions be not kept in these cages for two hours, is a question that may be asked. The elite have destroyed the national park.

It is evident from these matters how the country is being run. Official members are shifting the responsibility on non-official members. Those whose responsibility it was are not prepared to take responsibility. The animals are in agony. Arrangements should be made for addressing their difficulties.

The court remarked that those who have not filed their reply to the show cause notice so far should file them before the next hearing.

The hearing of the case was adjourned  till September 25.

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