Monal Restaurant, a well-known dining destination in Islamabad famous for its breathtaking views, has been ordered to close by Pakistan’s Supreme Court. The court’s decision follows allegations that Monal and several other restaurants in the area were built on illegally acquired land within Margalla Hills National Park. As a result, Monal has permanently shut down, and all staff members have been terminated. A video showing employees receiving their termination letters has gone viral on social media, eliciting a strong emotional response from viewers.
In the footage, several workers are seen in tears, with one employee even fainting upon hearing the news. The Supreme Court’s ruling mandates the closure of all eateries on the hilltop to protect the park’s biodiversity, giving restaurants in the region a three-month deadline to vacate. Sharing the video of the workers’ distressing situation, an Instagram user captioned it, “Monal Employees After Termination Letter.” Since its posting, the video has garnered over 8.2 million views.
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One user commented, “He fainted because he is thinking about his responsibilities towards his family.” Another suggested, “They can go to labor court for restoration of their jobs or file a petition in the payment of wages authority for gratuity and other payments.”
“It’s heartbreaking for the employees, but the news of Monal’s closure has been around long enough for them to search and interview for other jobs. Even if they didn’t, it was the employer’s duty to inform them and provide references,” another comment read.
One user remarked, “They made billions off these employees, and now they’ve left them on their own.” Another individual shared, “I feel for you all. It’s unfortunate. I hope you find new jobs soon.”
Someone else added, “Only those with responsibilities who lose their job truly understand the pain.”
Confirming the news on Instagram, Monal Restaurant wrote, “It’s time to say Goodbye. Dear Valued Customers, Thank you for your trust and for giving us a chance to serve you to the best of our abilities, for giving us recognition, appreciation, and a place in your heart. Since 2006, it was an absolute pleasure for the Monal family to serve and showcase a positive image of Pakistan and its beautiful people. This journey was full of success stories and emotions for the team affiliated with us, but now it’s time to say goodbye. Here’s to a difficult farewell.”
Monal Restaurant, established in 2006, will close permanently on September 11.