ISLAMABAD (PEN) : In its detailed verdict on the Margalla Hills case, the Supreme Court has directed the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board to take control of the restaurants operating in the area. This takeover, scheduled for September 11, will be supported by the police and the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and will involve barricading the entrances to the restaurants.
The 25-page judgment, authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, follows an earlier Supreme Court order from June 11, which mandated the closure of Monal Restaurant and other eateries within the Margalla Hills National Park (MHPN). This decision came after the court requested a comprehensive record of land ownership related to these establishments on March 11.
The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasizes the protection of the National Park, declaring that all leases granted to restaurants in the park are null and void. The court aims to ensure that the park’s ecosystem remains undisturbed and that the removal of the restaurants causes minimal disruption to wildlife and vegetation.
Chief Justice Isa’s judgment also upholds a previous ruling by Islamabad High Court’s former judge Athar Minallah. It calls for the demolition of the restaurants in a way that minimizes impact on the park’s natural environment. The Wildlife Board is tasked with deciding how to best utilize the land where the eateries were situated, possibly consulting experts to explore options like creating an artificial lake from the existing foundations to help manage fires in the park.
The verdict insists that the area should not be left in disarray. It must be restored to become an integral part of the National Park, with no abandoned structures or debris. The court has instructed the Defence Secretary to ensure the enforcement of relevant laws and has directed the CDA Chairman to support this process. The Ministry of Climate Change Secretary and the Environmental Protection Director General have also been ordered to survey the area, assess environmental damage, and implement measures to prevent further degradation.
In summary, the Supreme Court’s order is a significant step towards preserving the Margalla Hills National Park, ensuring that both the land and its wildlife are protected and restored.
