Ombudsman concerned over non-implementation of SC recommendations

Islamabad: The Federal Ombudsman Secretariat has shown concern over non-implementation of Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat recommendations endorsed by the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan to prevent fire incidents at Margalla Hills.A meeting on the implementation of recommendations was held in the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat. Previously, in pursuance of the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan dated 25-06-2018, the ombudsman after a series of meetings with CDA, National Disaster and Management Authority (NDMA), Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and Ministry of Interior had made recommendations and suggested measures to prevent incidents of fire at Margalla Hills.It was recommended that MCI, CDA, IWMB and NDMA should work together to develop SOPs to ensure coordination in order to avoid such incidents. It was also recommended that these agencies would submit quarterly reports and annual fire control plan to the Ombudsman Secretariat.In Thursday’s meeting, it was informed that no such meeting between the stakeholders has taken place yet.The representative of IWMB informed that numerous letters had been written to MCI but to no avail. The representative of NDMA apprised that NDMA has itself scheduled a national level meeting in this respect on second of next month.It was also recommended that MCI would equip its pickets on modern lines to control the incidents of fire along with presence of sufficient staff. However, unfortunately, no equipment had been placed on the pickets and transfer of manpower on the pickets is still in pipeline. The Federal Ombudsman Secretariat showed great displeasure over the poor performance of Municipal Corporation Islamabad.It was also recommended that NDMA should provide emergency support i.e. provision of helicopter etc. The representative of NDMA informed that they had been fully prepared to provide any support in exigency of fire at Margalla Hills.Similarly, on the recommendations of Wafaqi Mohtasib MCI had launched an awareness campaign to sensitize the neighboring villages to control fire incidents, regular meetings with the police, village headmen and masjid imams have been held to sensitize the local inhabitants.The representative of Ministry of Interior was directed to hold meeting with MCI, CDA, IWMB and NDMA in the first week of April to coordinate all activities relating to prevention of fire incidents at Margalla Hills National Park. It was also decided that the Wafaqi Mohtasib would hold a meeting in the third week of April to examine the implementation progress, whereas the Secretary Ministry of Interior, CDA chairman, Municipal Corporation Islamabad Mayor and Islamabad Wildlife Management Board chairman would attended this meeting.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2uvac9w