Senator Mushahid welcomes Supreme Court order for replanting of trees and restoration of Green Belt in Islamabad
On a suo moto petition of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who represents the Federal Capital in the Senate regarding the environmental negative effects of the Metro Bus in the capital, a full bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk passed an order directing the Project Director of the Metro Bus as well as the CDA to fulfill their commitment of replanting of trees and restoration of the Green Belt, which was destroyed or uprooted during the Metro Bus construction.
Appearing personally before the Supreme Court, the petitioner, Senator Mushahid Hussain, accompanied by the environmental group, Islamabad Green Movement, told the bench of the Supreme Court that Islamabad’s greenery and beauty had suffered immense damage because of the construction of the Metro Bus. While stating that as Senator from Islamabad, he fully supported a mass transit system for the Capital’s citizens, Senator Mushahid Hussain urged that the Green Belt of Islamabad be restored, trees that were cut should be replanted, special walk ways and pavements should be built for pedestrians, cyclists and disabled persons and that in future, no green belt should be touched on the pretext of construction.
Upholding these aspects, the Supreme Court passed an order seeking the restoration of the Green Belt and the replanting of trees and said that the Court would hold another hearing on this important aspect in March 2015 to ensure compliance of the Court order.
Talking to the media outside the Supreme Court, Senator Mushahid Hussain lauded the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the other honourable judges for their concern and commitment to provide protection for the greenery, environment and beauty of Islamabad and hoped that the authorities concerned would fulfill their responsibility for promoting and protecting a clean and green Islamabad.
The Senator was accompanied by the Islamabad Green Movement leadership including Cristina Afridi, Dr. Dushka Saiyid, Bilal Haq and Saima Omar.
