CDA told SC that owing to their ongoing campaign, a number of violators were voluntarily bringing their properties in line with the rules. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Saturday submitted a list in the apex court of government departments which were still not conforming to building rules by using residential structures as offices.
The report stated that so far 24 government offices have removed their offices from residential areas but at least 21 have yet to move out or are in the process of moving. Of these, eight houses are occupied by the National Engineering and Scientific Commission(NESCOM).
The authority further informed the court that three government departments, including the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), Safe Blood Transfusion Service Project and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have sought an extension in vacating their offices from residential areas.
Action against guesthouses
The authority said they were facing resistance in taking action against guesthouses in the capital.
The CDA told the court that every time they tried to take action against these establishments, they were advised by their counsels that their cases are pending in IHC hence the civic agency could move
against them.
Despite that hurdle, CDA said they had managed to seal five guesthouses and 19 hostels since June 27.
On September 22, the IHC had rejected a petition from around 70 guesthouses, along with similar petitions from several businesses in the capital, to stop the CDA from taking action against them for nonconforming use.
The CDA said that the special branch of police had conducted a survey of guesthouses set up in residential areas and had drawn up a list of those violating the rules. This list has been forwarded to Inspector General of police (IGP) for further action.
The civic agency informed the court that as part of their operation against rule violators, as many as 56 premises have been sealed since June 27 with the total number of premises sealed currently
standing at 314.
Voluntary conforming
CDA told SC that owing to their ongoing campaign, a number of violators were voluntarily bringing their properties in line with the rules. In this regard, 715 premises, mostly schools, guesthouses, clinics and offices have been voluntarily brought into conformation with the rules by their owners or occupants.
As a result, the total number of nonconforming properties in the capital has now fallen from 1,695 to just 664.
The CDA said it has also started action against media houses for not conforming to the rules. Owing to this, some have started to comply with the court’s orders while others have sought time to shift.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2016.
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