Legal Action Initiated Over Illegal Slaughter of Deer in Margalla Hills National Park; FIR Registered

The law prescribes a fine of up to Rs. 1 million and/or imprisonment for up to one year for such violations.

By DTD- On Jul 5, 2025

Islamabad (Mudassar Chaudhary): Strict legal action has been initiated following the illegal slaughter of a deer in the Margalla Hills National Park. The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board has submitted a request for legal proceedings to the relevant police station, and a formal FIR has now been registered at Kohsar Police Station.

According to the Islamabad Wildlife Department, the complaint was filed under the provisions of the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act 2024, citing violations of Section 12.4(a) and Section 16.1(a). As per the law, the Barking Deer is a protected species under Schedule One of the Act. The law prescribes a fine of up to Rs. 1 million and/or imprisonment for up to one year for such violations.

The department’s spokesperson further stated that under Section 23 of the Act, even a dead animal is considered the property of the federal government. The complaint names Bashir Abbasi, Zain Abbasi, and unidentified individuals as accused.

The FIR filed at Kohsar Police Station specifically names Bashir Abbasi and Zain Abbasi, residents of Gokina village, located within the Margalla Hills area. The case has been registered under the sections A-4/12, A-16, and Section 379 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with theft and carries an additional three years of imprisonment.

The FIR was filed by Ayesha Shehzad, Assistant Director of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, who claimed that the suspects illegally slaughtered a rare Barking Deer, and requested the recovery of the animal’s remains including its skin, skull, and other parts.

It is noteworthy that a private news channel reported the incident on July 1, highlighting that CDA Environment Department employees were allegedly involved in the illegal hunting of the deer. Local residents attempted to stop the individuals but they managed to flee. Citizens have since demanded immediate action against those responsible.