SC censures govt over failure to remove illegal construction at Margalla Hills

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has criticised the federal government over its failure to remove illegal constructions from and stop deforestation on Margalla Hills.

While hearing the suo motu notice on the issue on Wednesday, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed expressed displeasure over the non-removal of illegal structures from the area, saying the elected representatives should resign if they cannot perform their duties properly.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Saeed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, was hearing the case, during which Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry was also present.

During the hearing, Justice Saeed said the reason behind inaction on the issue will come to the fore once it is found out who the owners of illegal plazas at Margalla Hills were.

Responding to the judge’s remarks, the counsel for Capital Development Authority, Munir Paracha, said they could not conduct an operation against illegal constructions as police was unavailable due to the Faizabad sit-in. He added a police force was essential for anti-encroachment drive to control the ensuing resistance.

However, the minister requested for a week’s time to present an action plan and act on court orders. The court accepted his request, adjourning the hearing till December 7.