ISLAMABAD: Many citizens gathered outside the National Press Club, on Sunday, to protest against the ongoing metro bus project.

The protesters alleged that the project was a threat to the environment and asked the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice as the project has been started disregarding the environmental impact assessment (EIA).

The participants showed deep concern over the damage that was being done to the greenbelts and centuries-old trees.

The demonstration was jointly organised by two welfare organizations — Development Communication Network (Devcom-Pakistan) and Islamabad Green Voices.

Environmentalist Munir Ahmed said that the authorities had brought forth the ‘disaster’ without an EIA. He worried whether anyone can stop the project to save the environment of the capital city.

Jehan Ara Mueen from Islamabad Green Voice said greenery was a unique identity of Islamabad.

“All the natural resources are not meant to be used by us; we need to conserve some of them for our future generations. This is why we need to have conservation strategies in our development works,” she said.

Mr Salman, of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, said his party had a clear stance on the metro bus project, which is not panning out according to the book.

“Our member of National Assembly from Islamabad, Asad Umer, has submitted a petition, along with Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, which is still pending in the Supreme Court,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2014