The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered capital authorities to seal off today Monal Restaurant and take control of the Margalla Greens Golf Club built on encroached land, also declaring illegal the military’s claim to 8,000 acres of Margalla Hills National Park.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued the order to Islamabad Capital Territory Chief Commissioner Amer Ali Ahmed while hearing a case related to encroachments in the national park.
“This court will protect the wider public interest,” the judge said.
The climate change secretary, who was present during the hearing, called for Islamabad’s master plan to be made public.
Justice Minallah said all rules applied to the three wings of the armed forces and asked whether they were being implemented. He questioned whether the Pakistan Air Force had gotten approval from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the constructions it had carried out.
“It is possible that they might have some security concerns,” he remarked.
The judge said the concerns of the defence secretary should also be heard and the law should be strictly implemented. “Seal Monal if its lease has ended,” Justice Minallah added.
Following the judge’s directives, CDA officials went to the restaurant to seal it.
