SC orders closure Monal, other restaurants in national park

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the closure of all restaurants operating within national park, including Monal restaurant, GTV reported Tuesday.

The decision was announced by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

The bench was hearing he appeal against an Islamabad High Court judgment from January 11, 2022, which had favored the Monal group.

During the hearing, the CJP questioned the competence of Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials and demanded a detailed list of all restaurants operating within the park.

The CDA’s lawyer presented a report detailing all structures within the park, but CJP Isa 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.

Following that, the court ruled that all restaurants within the park’s premises must be completely dismantled within three months.

While the court acknowledged the need to relocate affected restaurants, it emphasized that commercial activities are not permitted within the park.