The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought comprehensive report from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration about culprits behind cutting trees and defacing Margalla Hills through illegal crushing in violation of the apex court's earlier directives.
Resuming the hearing of a suo motu action regarding cutting of trees from Margalla Hills and Lora KP, by stone crushing mafia, a 3-member bench led by Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh expressed dismay over the failure of three governments in protection of the hills.
Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh remarked while addressing KP principal law officer that the provincial advocate general has expressed concern over violation of law in Banigala but is paying no heed to protect Margalla Hills. The bench observed that illegal blasting and cutting of trees from the Margalla Hills has proved but the ICT administration and Punjab and KP governments have failed to take tangible action against the culprits.
Expressing dismay over the lacklustre performance, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh remarked that it would be better for all the three governments to express inability to address the issue in hand.
Justice Azmat Saeed categorically observed that the federal and two provincial governments seem to be hostage in the hands of mafia, adding that it would be right to say that all these governments are in underhand deal with the mafia members just to contest elections. The bench asked the authorities concerned to submit a comprehensive report pertaining to actions taken for protection of Margalla Hills' beauty, besides filing details about administrative actions taken against government officials who guard such mafias. Hearing of the matter was adjourned for a week.
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