(Web Desk Monitoring) — The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has mandated the closure of all restaurants operating within national parks, including the Monal restaurant in Margalla Hills National Park.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa reviewed an appeal against a January 11, 2022, Islamabad High Court decision that had ruled in favor of the Monal group.

During the proceedings, Chief Justice Isa criticized the Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials, questioning their competence and demanding a comprehensive list of all restaurants operating within the park. He expressed concern over the CDA’s lack of awareness regarding the presence of numerous commercial activities in the protected area.

Although the CDA’s lawyer presented a report detailing the structures within the park, Chief Justice Isa noted discrepancies, including the listing of the Pakistan-China Sports Complex and the National Art Council, which cast doubt on the CDA’s understanding of the park’s boundaries.

The court dismissed the CDA’s report and summoned the Chairman of the CDA for further explanation.

The Supreme Court decreed that all restaurants within the national park must be dismantled within three months. While the court acknowledged the necessity of relocating the affected establishments, it reiterated that commercial activities are prohibited within the park.

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