IHC forms commission to overlook affairs of Marghazar Zoo.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday, in the pursuit of an interim solution, directed the authorities concerned to form a commission to oversee the care of animals held at the Marghazar Zoo — according to news sources.

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The detailed order, passed by Chief Justice IHC Athar Minallah, stated that the affairs of the Marghazar Zoo and its finances shall be managed and overseen by a commission, which will be led by Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Naheed Durrani. The committee will also involve Mayor Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) Dr Anis ur Rehman, Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Amer Ali Ahmed, and the Chairman of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB). The committee members shall be tasked with ensuring the welfare and safety of the zoo animals.

The court order also said that this interim arrangement is to be implemented until the next court date regarding the case at hand can be fixed.

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During the court hearing on the matter, the climate change secretary informed the bench that a paucity of funds is causing delays in the initiation of up-gradation work at the zoo. She asked the courts to provide her with an extension of two months to enforce the ‘Islamabad Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Protection and Conservation and Management) Ordinance 1979’.

During the proceedings, the Chief Justice stressed that detaining animals without required amenities was against Islamic teachings and that the zoo should be abolished if it’s not properly managed. He added that the federal government, CDA, MCI and IWMP were all responsible for the management of the said zoo. He further ordered the climate change department to come up with a proper strategy to enforce wildlife laws to look after the zoo animals.

The court was adjourned with the next hearing set for April 10.