Islamabad, Pakistan: The Federal Constitutional Court refused an immediate request to reopen Monal restaurant. Moreover, it adjourned a review petition over its closure and demolition until the second week of July.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Hassan Rizvi heard the matter. Additionally, the federal government supported the plea seeking reconsideration of the earlier decision.
The bench was told that Monal’s lease renewal issue was already pending before a civil court. It was also informed that intra-court appeals related to some other restaurants were under consideration in the High Court.
Counsel argued that the Supreme Court had disposed of multiple pending matters through a single judgment. The argument raised questions over whether all parties had been properly heard before the demolition order.
Read: Supreme Court to Hear Monal Restaurant’s Review Petition on September 3
Justice Rizvi asked why certain legal arguments had not been raised before the Supreme Court earlier. The bench also observed that court decisions cannot be set aside merely because parties reach a consensus.
Government counsel Ahsan Bhoon said all parties agreed that the matter should proceed before the civil court. However, the bench said revising a Supreme Court judgment required detailed legal justification and proper judicial reasoning.
The case follows the Supreme Court’s earlier order for the removal of Monal and other restaurants from Margalla Hills National Park in Islamabad. Furthermore, the Supreme Court had directed the Wildlife Board to take possession with assistance from the Capital Development Authority and the Islamabad police.
