Zubair Qureshi
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and the Ministry of Climate Change to complete investigation into two big cats’ death at the Islamabad Zoo last week and submit the report by August 11.
The poor animals were subjected to torture, beating and even fire was lit to force them out of their cage so that they could be shifted to an animal sanctuary in Lahore.
The court had taken up the matter after a video clip took rounds on the social media showing the poorly-trained staff of the IWMB and the margazar zoo treating the wild animal inhumanly.
In Tuesday’s hearing Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed displeasure at the Ministry of Climate Change, Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) observing they shared responsibility for the mishap and the court would ensure the culprits didn’t go unpunished.
Federal Secretary Ministry of Climat Change Naheed S Durrani appeared on behalf of the ministry while a director of the IWMB was also present on the occasin. .
Those who are responsible for the death of the animals are also the ones investigating the matter, remarked Justice Minallah adding the federal cabinet had appointed the adviser, special assistant, the minister all as board members.
Addressing the Climate Change Secretary Justice Minallah remarked the court could see various departments were doing politics and everyone was merely interested in taking credit and taking control of the zoo. Everyone is playing politics; do not tarnish the name of the country in this way, remarked Justice Minallah.
The world witnessed cruelty we showed towards the animals here, he said, holding the CDA Chairman, the MCI and the environment secretary responsible. Animals cannot be taken away from their natural sanctuaries, he added. The deputy attorney general informed the court that an FIR has been registered against unidentified individuals for the deaths of the animals.
It’s easy to take credit but difficult to claim responsibility, remarked Justice Minallah, adding that an FIR ought to be lodged against all members of the wildlife management board. The court sought the report on the matter by August 11 and adjourned the hearing till next week.
