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Saturday, December 21, 2024  
19 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Islamabad's popular Monal Restaurant to be sealed today

Islamabad High Court also orders CDA chief to take control of Naval Golf Course built on 'encroached land'
The IHC also sought a report from the Environment Protection Agency on the damages caused by construction on the national park. AFP/File
The IHC also sought a report from the Environment Protection Agency on the damages caused by construction on the national park. AFP/File

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered the Capital Development Authority chairman to seal off the Monal Restaurant and take control of the Navy Golf Course that is built on the "encroached land" today, Aaj News reported.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard a case related to encroachments in the Margalla Hills National Park. During the hearing, the judge was informed that Monal Restaurant had been sealed twice in the past, but reopened.

The court ordered Chief Commissioner Amer Ali Ahmed to seal off the restaurant after which officials from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) went to seal it. The IHC also sought a report from the Environment Protection Agency on the damages caused by construction on the national park.

Meanwhile, the bench also ordered the CDA to immediately seal the Navy Golf Course, saying that the "Pakistan Navy encroached" on the land for the club. The high court has also ordered an inquiry into it.

Last year, the IHC observed that the federal government, the CDA and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board appear to have been complacent in the destruction of the notified areas of the "National Park" and the "Wildlife Sanctuary".

It directed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Amin Aslam, Secretary Ministry of Climate Change and chairman CDA to jointly survey the notified areas of the "National Park" and the "Wildlife Sanctuary" and submit a report highlighting the damage caused to the hills.

The chief justice said, "They are also expected to take immediate measures to save the notified area from further harm."

"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," he added.

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IHC

Capital Development Authority

Athar Minallah