LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday said that tree felling and illegal construction within Margalla Hills in the federal capital has continued despite the Supreme Court’s orders on curbing the practice.
While hearing the suo motu notice regarding Margalla Hills at the apex court’s Lahore Registry, the chief justice asked if felling of trees had stopped in the area as the SC had issued orders six months back against the practice. He said the Geological Survey of Pakistan was asked to conduct an examination of Margalla Hills, but the authority did not fulfill its responsibility.
Also present in the court, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed said the court should be informed if officials concerned do not want to implement the directives issued to them. He added that those not following court orders will be sent to prison.
The court summoned the director general of Geological Survey of Pakistan in the next hearing.
At an earlier hearing, the SC had chided the federal government over its failure to remove encroachments in Margalla Hills.
People have been barred from altering the forest and carry out construction in Margalla Hills as it has led to deforestation, misuse of natural resources and creeping human settlement.