ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday suspended the allotment of 450 kiosks in Faizabad. The court also issued notices to former CDA chairman Farkhand Iqbal, Inspector General Islamabad Police, ICT chief commissioner and SHO Industrial Area seeking comments on the kiosks.
Hawkers and Stall Holders Action Committee Faizabad had petitioned the court against what it called the illegal construction of 450 new kiosks and extra rent exacted by officials at IJP Road and Faizabad.
The petitioners claimed that former Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman Farkhand Iqbal handed over four acres to a man named Raja Sajjad without complying with the set procedure of floating tenders for competition.
To make space for the 450 kiosks on the land, the CDA kicked out some 160 vendors and bulldozed their stalls in the third week of October, they alleged.
Even though Iqbal had said at the time that Rs1,000 will be charged from the renters of the new kiosks, Deputy Director General Municipal Administration and I-9 police SHO are now demanding a rent of Rs7,000 per month. The officials have also imposed an advance of Rs0.2 million for the booking of a new kiosk. “The SHO threatens hawkers if they do not cooperate,” said a hawker who did not want to be identified.
The petitioners blamed the capital’s police chief and chief commissioner for failing to check criminal elements. The court suspended the allotments of the kiosks and adjourned the case until November 22.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2012.
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