ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday ordered the closure of all restaurants established in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills National Park, including the Monal Restaurant.
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard an appeal against a January 11, 2022, Islamabad High Court decision that had favored the Monal group.
The Chief Justice expressed concern about the CDA’s lack of awareness regarding the presence of numerous restaurants and commercial activities within the protected area.
The Cda’s lawyer presented a report detailing all structures within the park, but the Chief Justice pointed out that the report included the Pakistan-China Sports Complex and the National Art Council, raising further questions about the CDA’s understanding of the park’s boundaries. The court rejected the CDA’s report and summoned the Chairman of the CDA.
The Supreme Court ruled that all restaurants within the national park must be completely dismantled within three months. While acknowledging the need to relocate affected restaurants, the court emphasized that commercial activities are not permitted within the park.
