Supreme Court Orders Closure of Margalla Hills Eateries

The Supreme Court has issued an order for the closure of all eateries in the Margalla Hills National Park, including the popular Monal Restaurant. This decision came after the court rejected the Capital Development Authority's (CDA) report on the restaurant. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa emphasized that the SC had requested reports on several other restaurants as well. The report highlighted the Sports Club Pak-China Center and Arts Council National Monument, with Justice Isa commending the transparency of CDA officials in these cases.

Justice Isa also raised concerns about the possible presence of the apex court building and the CDA office within the Margalla National Park. He suggested that if this were the case, the authority should consider demolishing its own building. Additionally, Justice Isa noted that while many restaurants near Monal Restaurant are globally recognized, the CDA seemed unaware of their significance. In March, the Supreme Court had asked for information from authorities within a month regarding all restaurants operating in the National Park, including detailed records related to the land lease agreement between Monal Restaurant and the Directorate of Remount Veterinary and Farms (RVM).

The Supreme Court's decision to close eateries in the Margalla Hills National Park, including the Monal Restaurant, underscores the importance of preserving natural landscapes and ensuring transparency in land usage. This ruling serves as a reminder of the need to balance development with environmental conservation, highlighting the responsibility of authorities to uphold regulations and protect valuable natural resources for future generations.