Why is the Monal restaurant in Islamabad sealed?
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to close the Monal restaurant and take over the land. Bans military ownership of the 8,000-acre Margala National Park. Humane City Chief Justice Athar Minullah said the Margala Greens Golf Club was built on submerged land. He issued the orders “to protect the public interest” while hearing the case against the national park. Monal’s lease is reportedly due to expire in 2021.
Judge questioned whether the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had obtained CDA approval before building recreational spaces within the national park.
CDA Stamps Monal Restaurant
According to a court order, CDA officials sealed the Monal restaurant. Humanitarian City International has ordered the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) to submit a report. On the damage caused by illegal construction in the national park. In November 2021, Humanitarian Cities International lamented that those who must protect natural areas that were once wildlife sanctuaries are responsible for their destruction. The court jointly accused the CDA, the federal government, and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB).
The judge ordered the defense secretary to investigate the break-in at Ocean Golf and take action against the perpetrators. He also demanded to ensure that the three services (navy, army, and air force) had not been illegally installed. And that no further complaints should be lodged against any of them.
The military should not be controversial
Justice Minallah also questioned the climate change minister whether his job was simply to “plant trees”. The Prime Minister’s special assistant on climate change, Malik Amin Aslam, was reportedly absent after testing positive for the coronavirus. Judges were surprised to note the spread of corruption and chaos in the capital region. He went on to say that it is not in the public interest for the military to cause controversy in any way. The Monal restaurant was built illegally in a national park. A legally protected area where no one can mow the grass.
The court also noted that the armed forces are not independent but operate under the authority of the Ministry of Defense. He said it was not a “good thing” for the Navy to build a golf course out of bounds. And that no property should bear the name of any institution. The judge noted that citizens respect the military, so if they violate state property, no good news will be sent.
CDA and the Armed Forces
Justice Min Allah also referred to how the lower classes were impoverished by corruption and lawlessness. Before the defense secretary ordered the Monal Restaurant area to be handed over to the CDA. The judge reminded him that he had admitted the golf course was illegal. The International City of Humanitarian Services also banned yacht clubs and marine farms in the national park area and ordered their removal. The head of the authority, Amir Ali Ahmed, told the court he had issued a notice to the navy to dismantle his yacht club.
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The defense minister argued that villages in the Montazah region were also encroaching. The head of the community development agency said the city’s structural plan had been changed without any consideration. And all agencies were encroaching on one place or another. He added that the authorities would refer the matter to the cabinet. Because “when government agencies stop invading national lands, no one dares to do so.”
However, the court did not explain the whereabouts of the Monal restaurant’s nearly 700 employees, who are now out of work.
