The Supreme Court of Pakistan has intervened to prevent the removal of Rana Saeed as Chairperson of the Wildlife Board, while also suspending the notification that placed the Wildlife Board under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry.
During a hearing concerning commercial activities in the Margalla National Park, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked, “The generals and bureaucrats have taken control of the country’s system, and the Attorney General is unaware of the proceedings.”
The Supreme Court summoned Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, as well as the owner of the private Monal restaurant, Luqman Ali Afzal. The chief justice directed that the matter be brought to the attention of the prime minister.
The court was informed that the chairperson of the Wildlife Board had been removed from her position, and following a court order, the Wildlife Department was placed under the Interior Ministry.
Chief Justice Isa questioned this move, stating, “The Interior Ministry’s role is to maintain law and order. The government’s actions appear to be an attempt to override the court’s decision to protect national assets. What is the relationship between the owner of the private hotel and the Cabinet Secretary? Is the Cabinet Secretary not the brother of the hotel owner? The Cabinet Secretary got the summary to remove the Wildlife Board chairperson approved by the prime minister.”
