Monal Restaurant

Monal Restaurant
Restaurant information
Established2006
ClosedSeptember 2024
Food typePakistani cuisine, Continental cuisine
Dress codeCasual
Street addressPir Sohawa Road, Margalla Hills National Park
CityIslamabad
CountryPakistan
Coordinates33°44′35″N 73°01′39″E / 33.7431°N 73.0276°E / 33.7431; 73.0276
Other locationsLahore, Peshawar, and others
Websitethemonal.com

Monal Restaurant was a restaurant and dining place located in the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan. It started in 2006 and was known for serving Pakistani cuisine, along with some continental food.[1] The restaurant became popular among locals and tourists because of its high location and wide view of the city.[2][3]

It was ordered to be closed by the Islamabad High Court in September 2024 due to land ownership disputes.[4][5]

History

View of Islamabad at night from Monal Restaurant

Monal Restaurant was built under a lease agreement on state-owned land. It offered many traditional Pakistani dishes, including barbecue, karahi, biryani, and daal. The restaurant had indoor and outdoor seating and was visited for its scenic view of the city.[2][6]

Closure

In June 2024, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the removal of commercial activities from the Margalla Hills National Park, saying it is protected land. As a result, Monal Restaurant was closed on 11 September 2024 after around 18 years of operation.[7] The restaurant was demolished later by government officials.[8][9] The closure affected many workers and regular customers.[10][11] Later it was reported that the Supreme Court of Pakistan judge Inamullah was suspended, who issued stay order.[12]

In January 2025, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) decided to challenge the closure and demolition of Monal Restaurant, following court directives concerning its location on protected Margalla Hills land.[13][14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Iqbal, Nasir (11 September 2024). "Monal restaurant assailed for 'trespassing' in Margalla Hills National Park". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Monal restaurant site to host new Margalla viewpoint". The Nation. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  3. ^ Staff, ProPK (11 September 2024). "Here's What Islamabad Will Get Instead of Monal, Other Restaurants". ProPakistani. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  4. ^ "In pictures: Labourers demolish Islamabad's Monal restaurant". Aaj English TV. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Iconic Monal Restaurant to shut doors following Supreme Court order". Pakistan Today. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  6. ^ "A tale of Monal and La-Montana restaurants". The Nation. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  7. ^ Ali, Sajjad (7 August 2024). "Supreme Court Verdict: Monal Restaurant Announces Its Closure". Khyber News. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Supreme court orders demolition of Monal restaurant to preserve Margalla Hills". Pakistan Today. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  9. ^ Abbasi, Kashif (17 September 2024). "CDA asked to provide machinery to raze Monal Restaurant". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Watch: Pak Restaurant Employees Break Down After Getting Terminated". NDTV. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Supreme Court confirms removal of Monal, other restaurants after dismissing appeals". The Express Tribune. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  12. ^ Sigamony, Terence J. (10 October 2024). "Monal Restaurant demolition case: Judge who issued stay order against SC verdict suspended". Brecorder. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  13. ^ Raza, Syed Irfan (20 January 2025). "CDA may take up Monal case in Supreme Court again". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Commercial lobbies attempt to revive Monal restaurant, Chairperson of IWMB expresses concern". Associated Press of Pakistan. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Supreme Court rejects review plea in Monal restaurant case". Pakistan Today. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
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