SC upholds its decision of closing down Monal, La Montana and Gloria Jeans restaurants

Pronouncing a reserved verdict, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday upheld the decision to seal Islamabad’s Monal, Gloria Jean's and La Montana restaurants, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A three-member bench of the SC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa, and also comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, read out the verdict on the petitions, seeking to revisit the June 11, 2024 order in which the top court had declared all leases and allotments inside the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) contrary to the provisions of the Islamabad Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Ordinance 1979.     

In its decision, the apex court said that despite the fact that the owners had assured the bench that they would close their restaurants voluntarily within three months, they still filed a review petition was a joke.

The court also took back its observation of giving preference to the National Park restaurants during the lease.

The court ordered that its decision should be implemented in true letter and spirit.  

had taken up a set of petitions moved by the Monal Group of Companies, the Capital View Point Restaurant (La Montana), Sunshine Heights (Pvt) Ltd, and by Brig retired Falak Naz Bangash of the defence ministry.

Later on Aug 21, 2024, the court, in its detailed order, had directed the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) to take possession of restaurants namely Monal, La Montana, and Gloria Jeans — situated inside the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).

The order had also asked the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Islamabad Capital Territory Police to assist the wildlife board.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori