Federal Court Reverses Supreme Court Ruling On Monal Demolition

Islamabad: (Special Reporter) – The Federal Constitutional Court has overturned the earlier Supreme Court decision concerning the demolition of Monal Restaurant in Margalla Hills, ruling that the disputed land ownership matter should be decided by the relevant trial court.

The court accepted appeals filed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Metropolitan Corporation, noting that the ownership dispute remains pending before a civil court. It directed the trial court to decide the case strictly according to the law without being influenced by previous remarks made in earlier proceedings.

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The court also instructed the lower court to ensure the prompt resolution of the pending litigation.

During the hearing, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi observed that several key legal aspects had not been fully examined in the previous judgment. He emphasized that judicial decisions must be based on legal principles rather than public sentiment or emotions.

The development comes after a Supreme Court bench headed by former Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa ruled on June 11, 2024, that commercial activities inside Margalla Hills National Park were unlawful and ordered the removal of Monal Restaurant.

Following the Supreme Court directive, authorities implemented the order and the restaurant structure was demolished. The latest ruling has now shifted the focus back to the unresolved question of land ownership, which will be determined by the trial court.