Govt Orders Investigation As Fires Erupt At 15 Sites On Margalla Hills In One Day

The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, has initiated an inquiry into the forest fires that erupted at 15 different spots across Margalla Hills, situated on the northern periphery of Islamabad. This move coincides with a substantial endeavor to extinguish the fires, as stated by the interior ministry.

The fires initially ignited at three locations along Hiking Trails 3 and 5 of Margalla Hills, as reported by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Due to accessibility challenges, helicopters were deployed to aid firefighters on the ground. Subsequently, fires erupted at approximately a dozen additional sites.

Read more: Fire Damages Part of Margalla Hills in Islamabad

Prompted by the situation, Naqvi engaged with Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, advocating for a comprehensive investigation to ascertain whether the fires were intentionally set or occurred accidentally.

In response to the minister’s directive, the Islamabad chief commissioner and police chief have tasked officials with probing the matter.

Margalla Hills, encompassing 12,605 hectares and boasting numerous hiking trails, witness frequent visits from enthusiasts. The fires coincide with a heatwave in Pakistan, with temperatures soaring above 52 degrees Celsius in certain areas.

Attributed to climate change and escalating temperatures, Pakistan has experienced a surge in forest fires in recent years.

Earlier, senior Islamabad officials inspected the fire sites to assess firefighting endeavors.

“Firefighters are mobilizing all available resources to contain the fires,” remarked Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon. “Collaboration with other agencies has been sought to swiftly bring the fires under control.”