The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued contempt of court notice to Federal Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul while hearing a case about Islamabad Zoo, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Climate Change Secretary Naheed S Durrani apprised the court that the minister was ready to accept all the responsibility and pleaded that the cabinet has nothing to do with it.

However, IHC Chief Justice Attar Minallah said it was the cabinet who gave approval to the Wildlife Board and they are responsible for what all has happened.

Justice Attar Minallah rejected the request of the Attorney General of Pakistan for not issuing the show-cause notice. 

The court also issued a show-cause notice to Naheed S Durrani.

On August 4, Chief Justice Athar Minallah while hearing the case of shifting of animals from Marghazar Zoo to safer places remarked that Wildlife Board members were responsible for the death of two lions.

“In Wildlife Board Minister for Special Assistant, Minister for Climate Change, Chairman Capital Development Authority and all others are involved. If animals are treated like this, then what would be the treatment for the human beings,” the IHC CJ remarked.

“Those who are responsible for animals’ death are actually investigating the cause of death,” IHC CJ remarked.

Secretary Climate Change took a stance that gazette notification of the formation of Wildlife Board was not issued to which the ICH CJ replied the court had ordered the formation of the board and cabinet approved it.

On Monday, while hearing the case proceedings the ICH Chief Justice ordered initiation of the contempt of court proceedings against Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul and Special Assistant Amin Aslam. 

The matter surfaced when a lion and a lioness died during the shifting and video of torture became viral on social media before Eidul Azha.