The Islamabad High Court ordered Islamabad Capital Territory Chief Commissioner, Amer Ali Ahmed, to seal off Monal Restaurant within 24 hours. The Restaurant, located on Margalla Hills, faces charges against encroachment on national Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court, Athar Minallah, ordered the sealing of Monal restaurant while hearing a case related to the encroachments in Margalla Hills National Park. The Monal restaurant is built on military lands in Margalla Hills and now the army wants its land back. 15 years ago CDA had no idea it was building Monal Restaurant on Military lands until the army started claiming it. During the hearing, it was also revealed that the restaurant had been sealed twice in the past but was reopened again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the orders to seal Monal Restaurant were issued, the officials from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) went to seal it. The Environment Protection Agency was also directed to submit a report on damages caused by construction on the national park. The order to seal off Monal restaurant was followed by the order to take over the Margalla Greens Golf Club as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On a previous hearing, the Islamabad High Court held several authorities accountable for the destruction of Margalla Hills National Park and the Wildlife Sanctuary. A survey team consisting of government officials is made to survey these areas and to submit a report on the damage inflicted to the hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chief Justice said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No property can be in the name of any institution. This court has to protect the national park. The 8,000 acres of land is now part of the National Park.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He further added:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The officials shall forthwith ensure that no construction takes place nor any illegal activity is carried out within the notified areas of the National Park.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Chairman of CDA, on expressing his views on the subject, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Governement Institutions stop encroaching [on the land] then no one else will dare [to do so].<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Monal Restaurant, a famous scenic eatery, located on the Margalla Hills and the Margalla Greens Golf Club is ordered to be sealed off as the land they are built on is an army property. The court made it clear that all the decisions to be made will protect the wider public interest. Moreover, the Chairman of CDA was directed to build boundaries around the National Park to avoid encroachment in the future. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Islamabad High Court ordered Islamabad Capital Territory Chief Commissioner, Amer Ali Ahmed, to seal off Monal Restaurant within 24 […]<\/p>\n