SC seeks report on illegal constructions in Margalla Hills

Islamabad: The Supreme Court has sought a report from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on the illegal constructions in Margalla Hills.

The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court heard the case of illegal constructions in Margalla Hills, during which the CDA lawyer and the Director General (DG) Environment appeared in the court.

On this occasion, the lawyer of Monal Restaurant said that their restaurant was demolished on the orders of the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench, but there are still about 134 hotels, restaurants, and kiosks in Margalla Hills.

On this, Justice Jamal Mandokhel said that Margalla Hills is a protected area and all types of construction there have been declared illegal.

Justice Mazhar asked how many illegal structures are still standing in Margalla Hills. On this, the lawyer of the Municipal Corporation said that there are 80 to 132 structures left on Margalla Hills, while the Islamabad Club is also in the premises of Margalla Hills National Park.

On this occasion, Justice Naeem said that in the 1960 master plan, the Supreme Court was also built within the boundaries of Margalla National Park, the CDA should first look at the illegal structures around Monal.

Justice Jamal asked whether the Supreme Court's decision was only for Monal. The court has set the rules regarding construction in Margalla Hills, why doesn't the CDA do its job? Justice Masarat Hilali said why is the CDA violating the court orders.

The DG Environment told the court that more than 50 kiosks are currently operating in the Margalla Hills, which are causing environmental problems. The court orders had prohibited the demolition of the kiosks.

Later, the constitutional bench sought a report from the CDA on illegal constructions in the Margalla Hills.