- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel, Chairperson Board of Governors (BoG) of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), 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.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Ambassador Kakakhel said that during her tenure, a wildlife rescue centre was established, new trails opened to 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 enquiry 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 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.