The Pakistan Supreme Court has ordered authorities to reopen the Monal restaurant, which had been closed on the orders of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in January of this year.
During a hearing on a case involving the restaurant’s closure, Justice Mazahir Naqvi suspended the unsigned orders issued by the high court to close the popular eatery.
“What is this monarchy?” the judge asked. “How can the orders be implemented before the documents were even signed.”
During the previous hearing, Makhdoom Ali Khan, the restaurant’s counsel, stated that the restaurant was closed before the court issued written directions. The civil court battle between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Monal, he said, was still ongoing.
According to the lawyer, the high court issued its decision without recording any evidence. “Monal was not even a party in the lawsuit,” he added.
Islamabad High Court Orders
On January 11, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah ordered the administration of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to close the Monal Restaurant.
Commercial operations on the area of the Islamabad Hills National Park, he decided, must be prohibited at all costs.
“The land should, once again, be handed back to the park,” the court had said.
To read our blog on “Monal Restaurant will become a Wildlife Education Center,” click here.
