A shocking incident of illegal deer hunting in Margalla Hills National Park has sparked outrage after a video emerged showing three men killing a rare deer in broad daylight near the roadside.
The viral footage shows the men slaughtering the protected animal while a forest guard, reportedly from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), is seen nearby holding a wireless device.
One of the suspects can be seen carrying the deer’s body over his shoulders as they walk away from the scene.
When confronted by concerned tourists, the men claimed they were part of CDA’s Environment Protection department.
مارگلہ نیشنل پارک میں دن دیہاڑے سڑک کنارے سیاحوں کی موجودگی میں نایاب نسل کے ہرن کا غیر قانونی شکار یا حادثہ یا نہ صرف شکار،بلکہ اسی وقت وہیں اسے ذبح کر کے کندھے پر لاد کر بے خوفی سے لے جایا گیا #DeerButchered #Islamabad @DrMusadikMalik @RandhawaAli @dcislamabad @ICT_Police pic.twitter.com/EdcmU9kclu
— Sahafi.Online (@SOnlinepak) July 5, 2025
In response, a CDA representative denied that the men were staff members and said their team only intervened after finding the deer already wounded, insisting they acted out of concern by putting the animal down.
The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has since opened an investigation to determine who actually shot the deer.
Meanwhile, a formal complaint has been lodged at the relevant police station against the suspects, identified as Bashir Abbasi, Zain Abbasi, and others.
Legal proceedings are being pursued under Sections 12.4(a) and 16.1(a) of the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act 2024.
مارگلہ ہلز نیشنل پارک میں ہرن ذبح کرنے کا واقع
اسلام آباد وائلڈ لائف نے قانونی کاروائی کے لیے درخواست متعلقہ تھانے میں جمع کروا دی۔ ترجمان
درخواست میں اسلام آباد نیچر کنزرویشن اینڈ وائلڈ مینجمنٹ ایکٹ کی خلافِ ورزی کے تحت کاروائی کی درخواست کی گئی ہے۔ ترجمان
— Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) (@WildlifeBoard) July 5, 2025
The barking deer involved in the incident is listed as a protected species under Schedule One of the Act.
Under this law, those found guilty can face up to Rs1 million in fines and a year in prison.