Monal, other restaurants at Margalla Hills ordered to be sealed

Rejecting the report of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the Supreme Court has ordered the closure of all restaurants at Margalla Hills National Park, including the Monal.

A three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, heard the petition of the Monal group against the decision of Islamabad High Court (IHC) passed on January 11, 2022.

CJP Isa, expressing anger at the CDA report, said the court had asked for a detailed report on Monal and another restaurant constructed at Margalla Hills.

The CDA counsel informed the court that they submitted a report containing all details about the constructions made at Margalla National Park.

Responding to the CDA, CJP Isa said that the Sports Club, Pak China Centre, and the Arts Council monument were also included in the report, and asked if the bench should order the demolition of all buildings in jurisdictions of the National Park.

He added that the apex court building and CDA office also fall within the jurisdiction of the National Park, and asked if the court should order them to be brought down as well.

The Chief Justice stated that commercial activities would not be allowed at National Hills Park, and declared all leases granted to restaurants located in the National Park null and void.

Furthermore, the CJP inquired about the number of times fires had erupted at Margalla Hills, to which the Chairman of CDA replied that there had been at least 21 incidents.

Justice Mandokhail accused CDA officials of setting fires at Margalla Hills themselves, citing a fire that had occurred the previous day.

The court ordered the authorities to submit a detailed report of restaurants established at Margalla Hills, including Monal and other restaurants, within the National Park.