Labourers used a hydraulic machine to demolish the Monal restaurant situated at the Margalla Hills National Park following a Supreme Court order in Islamabad on Sunday.

The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) is enforcing the court’s decision, taking control of Monal and La Montana eateries to dismantle the structures and restore the area to its natural habitat.

On August 21, the Supreme Court ordered the removal of several restaurants, namely Monal, La Montana and Gloria Jeans, for operating in a protected area. In its detailed ruling, the court directed the IWMB to take control of such establishments and required the Capital Development Authority and police to assist in the process.

The court had also dismissed review petitions filed by the restaurants. In a statement, the court described Luqman Ali Afzal, the owner of the Monal Group of Companies, as having no more rights than a trespasser in the protected area.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa noted in a 13-page order that La Montana and Gloria Jeans had completely disregarded the Islamabad Wildlife (Protection, Preservation and Management) Ordinance of 1979.