By Adnan Rafique
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday ordered to initiate the contempt of the court proceedings against Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul and Special Assistant Amin Aslam. The matter surfaced when lion and lioness died during the shifting and video of torture were became viral on social media before Eid-ul-Azha. The court also summoned the names of those responsible from the federal government.
Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Athar Minallah heard the case against the non-transfer of bears from the zoo despite the court orders. The Ministry of Climate Change lawyer said: “Services of professionals were hired for animals’ relocation.†To which the IHC CJ replied: “Ministry of Climate Change and Wildlife Board are only doing politics.†“The three departments are not ready to take their responsibility. The court had already determined that if something happened to an animal, they would be held responsible. The court ruled that the members of the Wildlife Board would be responsible for relocating all the animals.â€
The IHC CJ showed the notification of the Wildlife Board and said the Minister of State for Climate Change, Special Assistant, Parliamentary Secretary and Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change are among the board members.
The court observed that none of the concerned agencies was ready to take responsibility and why the FIR has not been lodged yet against all these officials in Wildlife Board, who violated the court order.
IHC Chief Justice said: “This court will take action against all those responsible.
It is easy to take credit by giving a statement. State which cannot take care of the animals then how will they take care of human beings.â€
The Chief Justice asked who was investigating that matter to which the Deputy Attorney General appraised the court that the inquiry is being conducted by the representatives of the Ministry of Climate Change. “
You have made a mockery of this court’s decision,†IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked.
