Labourers utilized a hydraulic machine on Sunday to demolish the Monal restaurant, located within the Margalla Hills National Park, in compliance with a Supreme Court order issued in Islamabad.
The demolition is part of a broader effort by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) to enforce the court’s ruling and reclaim the area’s natural habitat by dismantling Monal and La Montana, along with other establishments.
On August 21, the Supreme Court mandated the removal of several restaurants operating within the protected zone, including Monal, La Montana, and Gloria Jeans.
The court’s detailed ruling instructed the IWMB to take charge of these establishments and called upon the Capital Development Authority and local police to assist in the enforcement of the order.
The court also dismissed review petitions submitted by the restaurant owners, asserting that Luqman Ali Afzal, the proprietor of the Monal Group of Companies, held no more rights to the land than a trespasser.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa emphasized in a 13-page order that both La Montana and Gloria Jeans had egregiously violated the Islamabad Wildlife (Protection, Preservation and Management) Ordinance of 1979.
This decisive action underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the environment and preserving natural habitats from encroachment by commercial entities.
The demolition of Monal, a popular dining destination, marks a significant step towards restoring the ecological integrity of the Margalla Hills National Park, reinforcing the importance of adhering to regulations designed to protect Pakistan’s natural resources.
