Non-conforming use: CDA struggles to get central police office vacated

The police have failed to vacate their head office situated in a residential area

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is either helpless or seems reluctant to get police to vacate its Central Police office, situated in a residential area.

Despite clear directions by the Supreme Court to take action against the use of commercial buildings in residential areas, the top civic body failed to vacate the offices of law enforcement agencies situated in the capital’s posh sector, official privy to the development told The Express Tribune.

The official said that the authority, in the past, has taken action against a few restaurants and beauty parlours, however, could not get the city police to vacate CPO office situated in a residence in sector F-7.

The authority also failed to vacate other officers which also fall under the preview of interior ministry including the National Database and Registration NADRA, situated in F-6/3, Motorways IGP office in F-8/3, Anti Narcotics Force ANF in F-8/4 and two FIA offices situated in F-10.

The official said that these offices fall under the preview of the interior ministry and being used against the violation of CDA ordinance, 1960 and Building and Zone Regulations. The sources said enforcement department of the authority can vacate the offices immediately as there is no legal barrier to vacate it. But so far they are reluctant to take action.

Interestingly, talking to The Express Tribune, Director Enforcement CDA Ishrat Taj Warsi confirmed that he was unaware any such building existed. “I have conducted several operations in the city but I am unaware about the CPO office,” he added.

In response to another question, the director said he was, “unaware about any ruling of apex court” on the matter adding that the CDA chairman gave him this portfolio despite having an engineering background.

Another senior official of CDA said during the last hearing the authority submitted a report before the court stating that 2,075 houses in the capital’s residential areas were being used for commercial purposes. The list included 392 schools, 175 guest houses, 110 beauty parlours, 99 hospitals and clinics, 308 furniture stores, 172 restaurants and hotels, 790 government and private offices and 16 foreign missions. Majority of the violations are in the G and F series sectors.

Acting IGP Khalid Khattak confirmed that the police have yet to vacate the building as their own building is under construction in ICT complex G-11. “We will be able to vacate the building after the completion of our own building,” he added. The official claimed that the police also requested the interior ministry to take up the matter with CDA.

On the other hand, offices of political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), situated in sector G-6/4; Jamaat-e-Islami office in G-6/2, All Pakistan Muslim League in G-6/3, Pakistan People’s Party office in G-6/4 and old Zardari house in F-8/3 were among the officers situated in residential areas. The official said that one office belongs to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League and is situated in F-8/3.

The apex court will take up the matter on January 16.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2016.