Today, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) required Islamabad Capital Territory Chief Commissioner Amer Ali Ahmed to seal off the Monal Restaurant.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah gave the order during the hearing of the matter of encroachments on Margalla Hills National Park.
The judge remarked, “This court is here to preserve the greater public interest.”
Islamabad’s master plan should be made public, said the climate change secretary, who was present at the court session.
Justice Minallah stressed all rules apply to the military and questioned if the military was adhering to all regulations. He also questioned that if the Capital Development Authority (CDA permitted the Pakistan Air Force) to carry out the projects it had undertaken.
“They might probably have some safety concerns,” he stated.
Chief Justice said that the defence secretary’s concerns should be considered as well as the law’s tight enforcement. He remarked that “Seal Monal if its lease has expired.”
CDA representatives went to the eatery to seal it after the judge’s orders. Construction in the national park has caused environmental harm, and the EPA has been ordered to report on it. The IHC also ordered the CDA to take over the Margalla Greens Golf Club today.
“The defence secretary should inquire about the encroachments of the navy golf course [and] take action against those responsible,” Justice Minallah said.
The court also declared the Military Farms directorate’s claim over 8,000 acres of land illegal , ordering that they should be part of the national park.
Margalla Hills National Park and its animal sanctuary were ruined by arsonists on November 9, as per the IHC. It has blamed several authorities for being complacent about the destruction of Margalla Hills National Park. It also required a damage assessment and report under the court’s order.
Earlier in the month, the court ordered Pakistan’s attorney general to clarify whether Messers Remount, the GHQ’s veterinary and agriculture directorate, could lawfully possess or administer state land within the protected region of the national park.
