ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday declared the occupation of 8,000 acres of Margalla Hills National Park by the Military Directorate Farms as illegal and ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to take control of the Navy Golf Course.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued the order while hearing a case related to encroachments in the national park.
The court ordered the defence secretary to complete an inquiry report dilating upon the encroachment by the Navy Golf Course, besides directing him to take action against the responsible persons.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Minallah wondered under which law the 8,000 acres of land was allotted for the Navy Golf Course.
“The lawlessness benefits the elite only. Rule of law also applies to all sectors of forces,” the judge remarked.
He asked whether the Pakistan Air Force had taken approval from the CDA for all of its constructions
The chief justice also ordered to seal the Monal restaurant today after observing that it too was built on the encroached land.
“Every institute has indulged in encroachment everywhere,” the CDA chairman told the court.
“When government institutions stop encroaching [on state land] then no one else will dare [to do so],” the CDA chairman further said.
