In the 108-page detailed judgement, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah noted that the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, the Air Force Act, 1953 and the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961, were promulgated to regulate the respective branches of the armed forces and their discipline. The court also rejected the ownership claim of the Pakistan Army Directorate on 8,068 acres of land in the National Park. The ruling said the lease agreement of the Farms Directorate of the Pakistan Army with Monal Restaurant was also declared illegal. The court further stated that the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Army had violated the law by taking it into their own hands, which was an ideal case of weakening the rule of law. According to the IHC, the state has a duty to take steps to repair the damage to Margalla Hills to prevent further destruction.

Source: The Express Tribune July 14, 2022 08:02 UTC