Federal Constitutional Court Sets Aside Order to Demolish Monal Restaurant

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court has set aside the decision ordering the demolition of the Monal Restaurant in Pir Sohawa, while allowing the appeals filed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, and lifting the stay order in the case.

The court ruled that the issue of property ownership would be decided by the trial courts independently and without being influenced by the constitutional court’s observations. It further stated that administrative matters would be determined by the relevant regulatory authorities.

The constitutional court also directed the trial courts to dispose of the pending cases as expeditiously as possible.

During the hearing, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi remarked that several important aspects had not been considered in the earlier Supreme Court ruling. He emphasized that the court would not deliver an emotional judgment, despite criticism over the filing of the case and review petitions.

Counsel Ahsan Bhoon praised the court for its detailed review of the case, to which Justice Rizvi responded that the court should not be complimented and would decide the matter strictly on the basis of the proceedings and the law.

Justice Rizvi also observed that the judgment would remain confined to the legal record and would not include matters beyond the court proceedings.

Following the hearing, the Federal Constitutional Court formally declared the previous order directing the demolition of the Monal Restaurant in Pir Sohawa void.