ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has intervened to prevent the removal of Rana Saeed as the chairperson of the Wildlife Conservation Board while suspending the notification that fell under the purview of the Wildlife Conservation Council under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior.
During a hearing on commercial activities in the Margalla National Park, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked, “Generals and bureaucrats have taken control of the country’s system and the Attorney General is unaware of the proceedings.”
According to Express News, the Supreme Court has summoned Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, as well as the owner of a private restaurant, Monal Luqman Ali Afzal. The Chief Justice ordered to bring the matter to the notice of the Prime Minister.
The court was informed that the chairperson of the Wildlife Board had been removed from her post and the Wildlife Department had been placed under the Home Office by court order.
Chief Justice Isa questioned the move, saying: “The role of the Home Ministry is to maintain law and order. The government’s action appears to be an attempt to overturn a court decision to protect national assets. What is the relationship between the owner of a private hotel and the Cabinet Secretary. Isn’t the Cabinet Secretary the brother of the hotel owner?”
After a brief break, Attorney General Awan appeared in court and the judges demanded an immediate response regarding the transfer of the Margalla Hills National Park to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The court was also probing the details of the Pine City housing project located in Margalla Hills.
Attorney General Awan assured the court that the issue of Rana Saeed’s removal and the transfer of the park would be brought before the Prime Minister, prompting the court to adjourn the hearing to 15 August.
During the session, Chief Justice Isa highlighted the growing control of the country by military and bureaucratic powers and criticized the Attorney General for not being in touch with how things are developing.
A notable moment came when Cabinet Secretary Kamran Afzal addressed the Prime Minister as “Sahib”, prompting Chief Justice Isa to respond, “Call him Prime Minister or Mr. Shehbaz Sharif. There is no such thing as ‘Prime Minister Sahib’. in English to break free from the shackles.”
The Climate Change Minister informed the court that the power of judicial review rests with the courts and declined to comment further.
In a related matter, the court also discussed the transfer of the Wildlife Board to the Ministry of the Interior and the management of the Wildlife Board. Attorney General Awan assured the court that the notification to transfer the Wildlife Board to the Ministry of Home Affairs would be stopped and that the decision to remove Rana Saeed would be reversed.
The Supreme Court ordered the matter to be placed before the Prime Minister and adjourned the case till August 15 seeking details regarding the Pine City project.
