Establishment of katchi abadis: FIA arrests former CDA enforcement director

FIR says civic agency failed to check establishment, growth of slums in capital.


Rizwan Shehzad January 26, 2016
FIR says civic agency failed to check establishment, growth of slums in capital. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: A former director of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) enforcement wing was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly facilitating the establishment of an irregular settlement on a green belt between sectors H-9 and H-10.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Muhammad Iqbal Tanoli after a special FIA court dismissed his pre-arrest bail application.

In the previous hearing, Special Judge Central Malik Nazir Ahmed had declared 15 CDA officials proclaimed offenders in connection with facilitating the establishment of the slum, one of the fastest growing irregular settlements in the city.

Tanoli was a grade 17 officer in the civic agency and has also served as director enforcement.

According to the FIR registered by the FIA, a large area of ICT-owned or CDA- acquired land was either under the illegal possession of occupants or encroached upon with the active connivance, assistance and abetment of officers and officials of the CDA. Around 42 officials had been booked in the case.

The FIR said officials’ connivance had resulted in illegal settlements or katchi abadis in the capital, violating the city’s master plan and its zoning regulations. During the enquiry, the FIA found that 56 katchi abadis were established on CDA land with active connivance and support from the agency’s officers and officials.

The investigation agency said that so far it had obtained record of only two katchi abadis —Akram Gill Colony and Rimsha Colony, both established on green belts in 2009 green belts. The FIA said action against other kachi abadis will also be initiated.

The investigating agency said it had also obtained charter of duties of all relevant wings of the CDA from the civic authority.

“Officers and officials who have been posted in these sectors from 2009 till date are responsible for the illegal establishment of these katchi abadis,” the FIA stated.

CDA records and Google satellite images show that the two slums were established and grew day-by-day, illegally and unlawfully, with active connivance and facilitation of CDA officials, it added.

The FIR stated that it was the responsibility of the enforcement directorate and the environment wing of the CDA to stop and vacate the possession from illegal occupants and land grabbers but they misused their official position and failed to stop and vacate these katchi abadis.

The development came in the backdrop of a complaint lodged by Punjab Additional Inspector-General Hussain Asghar, who is currently conducting an interior ministry ordered inquiry into the establishment of irregular settlements in Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2016.

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