IHC orders de-sealing of capital eatery

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to expedite the license renewal process for a restaurant operating at F-7 within seven days.

The court also issued directions to ensure that the Tandoori Junction Restaurant remains operational until the renewal is finalised.

Islamabad High Court Justice (IHC) Chief Justice Justice Aamer Farooq reviewed a petition challenging the recent closure of Tandoori Junction, a private restaurant situated in the F-7 sector.

Advocate Qaiser Imam represented the petitioner Javed Asif, while Directorate of Municipal Administration (MDA) and Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI) lawyer Yaqoob Mastoi, Deputy Director of CDA Raheel Junejo, CDA's lawyer Shehryar Tariq appeared before the court.

Petitioner's lawyer, Advocate Qaiser Imam, argued that despite submitting a license renewal application to the CDA, the agency had delayed processing it.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq ordered the CDA to complete the renewal and submit a report within seven days. Meanwhile, the hotel is allowed to continue operations pending the renewal decision.

Previously, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq criticised the CDA's handling of the matter. He pointed out inconsistencies, noting that the CDA initially sealed Tandoori Junction, labelled it as illegal, and then shut it down. The court has now mandated that the restaurant remains open until the next hearing