The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the closure of well-known restaurants, including the iconic Monal Restaurant, operating within Islamabad’s Margalla Hills National Park. This decision aims to protect the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the park, which is part of the foothills of the Himalayas and includes Shakarparian Park and Rawal Lake.
A three-judge bench, presided over by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, reviewed an appeal against a previous ruling by the Islamabad High Court dated January 11, 2022. The High Court had previously supported Monal and other establishments, allowing them to continue operations. However, the Supreme Court’s latest verdict reverses that decision, mandating the closure of all eateries within the national park boundaries.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Isa expressed dissatisfaction with the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) oversight and management of the park. He criticized the CDA for not having a clear understanding of the number and impact of the restaurants operating in the protected area. The CDA instructed to provide a comprehensive list of all commercial entities within the park. However, their report found to be inadequate, as it included non-commercial structures like the Pakistan-China Sports Complex and the National Art Council, raising questions about their grasp of the park’s boundaries.
The Supreme Court has given a three-month deadline for the dismantling of all restaurants in the Margalla Hills National Park. The court acknowledged the need for relocating the affected businesses but firmly stated that commercial activities are incompatible with the park’s status as a protected area.
