ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has summoned the owner of the Monal Restaurant, the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), and the Cabinet Secretary in a case concerning commercial activities within the Margalla National Park.
This case follows a ruling by the Supreme Court on June 11, which ordered the closure of Monal Restaurant and other eateries operating in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills National Park.
The court dismissed a report submitted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and instructed the administration to shut down these establishments within 90 days.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is overseeing the case, expressed concern that the court’s decision to protect the national heritage of Margalla National Park had been disregarded. He also questioned the connection between the Monal Restaurant owner and the Cabinet Secretary.
In response, the Supreme Court has summoned the Monal Restaurant owner, the AGP, and the Cabinet Secretary to appear before the court. The court further directed that the issue be brought to the attention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Monal Restaurant, a popular dining spot in Islamabad known for its panoramic views, had previously announced its permanent closure on September 11, complying with the Supreme Court’s order.
This case underscores ongoing efforts to safeguard the ecological integrity of Pakistan’s national parks and the challenges posed by commercial development encroaching on protected areas.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
