In a landmark decision on Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed the immediate closure of all eateries within the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), including the prominent Monal Restaurant. This ruling aims to protect the integrity of the national park and addresses long-standing concerns about unauthorized commercial activities in the area.
The order was issued by a three-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, in response to a March 11 court order seeking a complete record of land ownership for Monal Restaurant. The bench included other senior justices who examined petitions from Monal Restaurant and the Wildlife Department.
Court Proceedings and Directives
On March 8, the Supreme Court had temporarily de-sealed Monal Restaurant by suspending an earlier verdict from the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The court had then instructed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to present the original records of the 8,600 acres comprising MHNP.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Chief Justice Isa emphasized that the land in question is government property, disputing claims from the Military Estate Office that it was military-owned. The court sought clear ownership details, questioning whether the land was managed by the CDA or another entity.
CDA’s Report and Court’s Response
The CDA’s report, which included details on various constructions in MHNP, such as a sports club, Pak-China Friendship Centre, and Arts Council National Monument, was met with skepticism. Chief Justice Isa criticized the CDA’s transparency, questioning the agency’s awareness of the number of restaurants in the park and whether its office itself was located within the national park boundaries.
When asked about the frequency of fires in the Margalla Hills, the CDA chairman reported 21 incidents this season, highlighting environmental risks exacerbated by commercial activities.
Final Rulings and Future Actions
The Supreme Court ordered the CDA chairman to appear immediately and dismissed the report submitted by the regulator. The court instructed all restaurants, including Monal, to relocate within three months, nullifying all leases granted for commercial activities in the national park.
Chief Justice Isa reiterated the court’s commitment to preserving MHNP, stating that unnecessary notices to other restaurants outside the park were terminated. The ruling extends to commercial activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s national parks, mandating their cessation to protect these natural reserves.
A written order detailing the Supreme Court’s decision in the Monal Restaurant case will be issued later, underscoring the court’s determination to safeguard Pakistan’s national parks from unauthorized commercial exploitation.
Leave a Reply