The federal government has reinstated Rina Saeed Khan Satti as the chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), following a series of legal disputes.
The Ministry of Climate Change officially confirmed her reinstatement through a notification, which also nullified her previous suspension.
The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) recently faced significant challenges following the transfer of its control from the Ministry of Climate Change to the Ministry of Interior, especially after the Supreme Court’s directives for the closure of all restaurants, including Monal, in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills National Park within three months.
This transfer from the Ministry of Climate Change to the Ministry of Interior led to Rina Saeed’s removal from her position, prompting her to file a contempt petition.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, expressed its dissatisfaction with the removal of Rina Saeed and the transfer of the IWMB’s control. During a hearing, the Chief Justice questioned the connection between the owner of Monal Restaurant and the Cabinet Secretary, Kamran Ali Afzal, suspecting a potential conflict of interest.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan assured the court that the notifications regarding the IWMB’s transfer and Rina Saeed’s removal would be withdrawn. The Chief Justice also instructed that the matter be brought to the Prime Minister’s attention.
The court raised concerns about the growing influence of military and bureaucratic control over various institutions, highlighting the importance of protecting national assets like the Margalla Hills National Park. The proceedings also included discussions on the Pine City housing project within the park’s boundaries.
IWMB, responsible for the conservation and management of the Margalla Hills National Park, is mandated to protect, conserve, and manage the national park with support from CDA and the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI). The Board strives to protect the park’s natural ecosystem while ensuring that current and future generations can experience and appreciate the beauty of nature.