CDA refuses to restore land lease

Senate panel summons CADD minister, food secretary in next meeting

ISLAMABAD: The Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges on Friday expressed strong reservations over the lack of action taken by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) over its recommendation to withdraw lease cancellation orders for the 1,400 acre land of National Agriculture Research Council (NARC).

The committee met with Senator Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini in the chair at Parliament House to discuss the privilege motion moved by Senator Muzafar Hussain Shah. Briefing the committee, a CDA official said that the lease of the land given to National Agricultural Research Council (NARC) had expired in 2005.



Moreover, the CDA official said that NARC had established an illegal filling station and 26 buildings on 54,000 square feet of CDA land in violation of the land utilisation laws.

Senator Jamaldini took exception of remarks by Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) secretary that the NARC issue was in the court therefore sub-judice.

“Pack up the parliament, if everything has to be settled by the court. We make the laws and see to it that the same are implemented,” the irked senator bellowed.



When asked when did the court last hear the NARC case, the secretary said, February. On this Jamaldin said the Senate committee has resolved 25 matters during this time.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2017.