Islamabad - WWF expresses concern at the recent FIR against the former Chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and the actions taken to cast doubt on her integrity.
As an organization dedicated to protecting Pakistan's natural heritage, WWF-Pakistan urges that environmental institutions and those serving them should be supported for fulfilling their legal and conservation mandates.
We firmly believe that the protection and conservation of Pakistan's environment and biodiversity must remain above political, institutional, or personal biases, and urge that all proceedings in this matter be conducted with impartiality and transparency and in accordance with due process.
In June 2024, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal against a 2018 Islamabad High Court judgement, which declared commercial allotment in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) contrary to the law and ordered the demolition of Monal and other restaurants in the Park.
The IWMB, acting in compliance with the Supreme Court's orders in this case, implemented measures to protect the MHNP, a legally designated protected area and one of Pakistan's most important ecological ecosystems.
The Board has also envisioned transforming the Monal restaurant site into a public green space, restoring the area's ecological integrity and creating an open, resident-friendly environment for citizens to enjoy responsibly.
The actions reflected statutory obligation to ensure that all activities within the park align with international conservation principles and safeguards.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan stated, "Conservation decisions grounded in legal and scientific principles should be respected and upheld, especially when they serve the broader public interest and align with the country's global and national environmental commitments. Individuals and institutions acting in good faith to uphold environmental law and protect natural ecosystems deserve institutional support and respect, not retribution."
Under its former leadership, the IWMB made several notable contributions; from establishing a wildlife rescue center for injured and displaced animals to opening new public trails and introducing a weekly farmers market connecting urban residents with sustainable local produce.
WWF-Pakistan remains committed to providing technical support and coordination to the IWMB and CDA to ensure the restoration and re-wildling of the Margalla Hills Viewpoint Area.
In a separate statement, Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel, Chairperson Board of Governors (BoG) of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), has lauded the professional contribution of former chairperson of Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), Rina Saeed Khan in managing the affairs of organization during their tenure.
He also admired Vaqar Zakaria, an environmental journalist and wildlife expert, for his commendable contribution. He was also the senior member of the IWMB Board. Ambassador Kakakhel said that during her tenure, a wildlife rescue centre was established, new trails opened to the public and a popular weekly 'Farmers Market' introduced to the city.
Moreover, the trails became safer and cleaner, he said, adding that their determination to serve increased the protection of the national park, he added.
"Both held the honourary positions without involving any monetary benefits, which highlighted their commitment to contributing to uplift the natural conservation," he said.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of SDPI Board of Governors condemned the cases against two IWMB Board members, saying that publishing posters against them, attacks on their homes and now an FIA enquiry and FIR are the worst kind of victimization.
"Both have contributed to environmental protection in Pakistan with integrity and dedication for decades. It is disturbing to learn that both have now been embroiled in an inquiry opened by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)," said Ambassador Kakakhel.
He maintained that both the environmentalists are being victimized for simply upholding a Supreme Court order.
"We appeal to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order the administration to intervene in the matter to stop all this. Otherwise no one from civil society will ever join a government board for public service or uphold/implement a Supreme Court order if this victimization continues," he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the FIA registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Rina Saeed Khan, former Chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), on the complaint of Muhammad Saeed, alleging multiple counts of misconduct during her tenure, which she has strongly denied.