In fresh report, CDA does not mention 14 houses being used by ‘sensitive’ departments.
In a fresh report, submitted to the Supreme Court, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) said that out of 31 houses, only two have been vacated.
In the previous hearing on May 5, the civic body had submitted a list of 45 houses being used as offices by government departments.
Strangely, 14 out of the 45 houses were only identified as ‘government offices’ as they are being used by ‘sensitive’ departments, an official in the civic agency told The Express Tribune while requesting anonymity.
The official added that CDA personnel were not allowed to enter these 14 houses.
CDA officials told the court that only two houses — one used by the Federal Audit Office and the other by Anti-Narcotics — have been vacated.
The report says that 228 premises in residential areas had been sealed, while the Canadian Embassy’s sub-office had brought its premises into conforming use.
The authority added that the Palestinian Embassy has sought more time, stating that construction work on its Diplomatic Enclave site was near completion and that they would shift there in the next three months.
A report submitted by the Building Control Director Shafi Muhammad stated that a sealing operation was ongoing, while also claiming that 585 premises which were being used for commercial purposes had been brought into conforming use by their owners.
The report said that the total number of residential premises being used for commercial purposes stood at 891.
Meanwhile, the court has sought a reply from the Capital Administration and Development Division secretary regarding the shifting of private schools from residential areas of the federal capital.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, heard the case of encroachments and blockades in residential areas.
Petitioner Ali Raza accused the CDA of discriminating against some restaurants, as it was not taking action against its favourites.
He said that a restaurant, ‘Corner Wala’, is being run in a private house, but the civic agency was not taking action against it.
He further told the court that CDA had ordered another office, running in a house, to vacate but took no action against them.
Justice Saeed remarked that the law applies equally on everyone and asked the civic agency to implement it.
The CDA’s counsel sought more time to shift government offices from residential areas.
On this, the judge asked why the government was making a mockery of itself?
The case was adjourned till June 28.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2016.
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