Islamabad, Oct 8: Supreme Court Probes Illegal Housing Scheme in Margalla Hills
The Supreme Court of Pakistan requested information from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Chief Commissioner of ICT regarding the North Range Housing Society located in the Margalla Hills National Park.
The court directed the respondents to provide details of ownership and building approvals at the next hearing.
A bench led by the Chief Justice of Pakistan heard the case concerning residential activities in the Margalla Hills. During the proceedings, lawyer Umar Gillani noted that the CDA had reported the housing society as illegal and alleged that the society’s owner had connections with former high officials.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan questioned why the civic authority seemed powerless in this situation. Gillani argued that influential individuals were involved. The case hearing was subsequently postponed for a week.
The Supreme Court’s action marks a crucial step in safeguarding the Margalla Hills from further environmental degradation. As the investigation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting Pakistan’s natural heritage from illegal encroachments and ensures that future generations can enjoy the beauty of this iconic landscape.
This probe is expected to involve scrutiny of government officials who may have facilitated these illegal housing schemes, as well as developers who have constructed properties without due process
