ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday again sought a detailed report from the Ministry of Climate Change and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in a case filed against the import of rare animals.

The court observed that the ministry and the FBR could not satisfy the court and asked them to again submit a report till the next date of hearing.

FBR’s counsel pleaded that no elephant had been imported during the last three years.

The court asked how other animals were being imported and why no representative from the FBR appeared before it. People are even keeping lions in houses, the court observed and asked the FBR how these were imported.

The court remarked that rare animal species were kept in an unnatural environment during the last three years. However, the ministry maintained that keeping such animals in houses came under the jurisdiction of provincial governments.

At this, Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that it was the responsibility of the federal government to implement international agreements.

“Did the ministry mean provinces are independent in this matter and the federation has no power to implement international agreements,” Justice Minallah asked.

The ministry’s representative said: “We are not violating international agreements.”

The court said violations were being made, adding that whether the ministry asked the FBR regarding the import of animals. The court sought the detailed report and adjourned the hearing.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2021