The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the closure of all restaurants operating within national parks, including Monal restaurant, located in the scenic Margalla Hills National Park.
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard an appeal against an Islamabad High Court decision from January 11, 2022, which had favored the Monal group.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Isa questioned the competence of Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials, demanding a detailed list of all restaurants operating within the park. He 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 the court acknowledged the need to relocate affected restaurants, it emphasized that commercial activities are not permitted within the park.
