Diplomats told to remove security cabins from state land

Builders call for pausing encroachment drive until by-laws are finalised

ISLAMABAD: As the federal capital’s administrators press ahead with its anti-encroachment drive, they have expanded their efforts to the more posh sectors of the city, serving notices to diplomats.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration have asked diplomats residing in the upscale Sector F-6/1 to remove all those security cabins and other encroachment and barriers which have been set up on government land.

Most diplomatic missions are located in the specially carved Diplomatic Enclave in the federal capital but a number of missions, diplomats and staff of these missions are housed in other parts of the city. Owing to security considerations, enhanced security structures have been set up outside their buildings which impede the movement of visitors.

The CDA and ICT during their drive are targeting obstructions in the roads, streets and pedestrian movement, barbed wires and fences erected around the buildings, parking spaces and security apparatus, lawns and gardens established and encroachments in the green belts and open spaces.

Anti-encroachment drive should be impartial: FPCCI

Furthermore, the Enforcement Directorate of CDA on Sunday dismantled fences installed outside some 35 houses, demolished four rooms, eight illegally constructed walls, nine car sheds and 20 security cabins and further removed barriers, animals and birdcages from street 35, 36, 37, 38, 44 and 45-B of the main Nazimuddin Road in Sector F-6/1, Islamabad.

Earlier, CDA through final public notice had warned the public to remove encroachments from footpaths, and remove encroachments that were creating obstructions such as fences and barbed wires installed around buildings, car parking, generators, security apparatus, and gardens established illegally on state land.

Builders want halt to drive

Meanwhile, builders and developers owning properties in Zone-V of the federal capital urged the CDA to halt its anti-encroachment operation until by-laws for the area have been finalised.

Addressing a seminar held by Builders and Developers Association (BDA) here, property owners said that they have already lost billions of rupees as a result of CDA's operation, adding that it needs to be stopped immediately until the matter is settled.

Hazara Colony residents deter anti-encroachment drive

During its operation, the civic agency has demolished or sealed commercial plazas, mid and low-rise buildings in Zone V's commercial area.

BDA's General Secretary Jameel Khaliq said that their association will act as a bridge between the city’s planners and private builders to make the real estate industry more competitive and aligned to the future economic development needs of Pakistan.

Khaliq urged CDA to de-seal buildings at earliest to save billions which private investors had poured in and thousands who worked there. He added that CDA's operation had badly shaken the confidence of real estate agents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad who could not get the due dividend of their huge investment in the Zone-V. Raja Baber of Darvesh Estate Group hoped CDA would approve the submitted drawings of buildings in Zone-V, adding that owners were willing to pay penalties to get their buildings regularized.

Almost 100 houses demolished in Karachi anti-encroachment drive

Muhammad Shafique of Imarat group of companies said the area involves a huge sum of money of local and overseas Pakistanis and the situation should be rectified swiftly as it may hurt the investment climate in Pakistan.

DBA member Brig (Retd) Mohsin Ali said e-governance was imperative in CDA and other relevant departments to boost the economic activities in the country.

CDA's Member Planning Shahid Masood said the CDA operation was the result of a Supreme Court ruling which had directed the authority to gain control of its land across the federal capital.    He assured that the by-laws will be finalized by the end of this month and will be forwarded to the federal cabinet after approval from the CDA board.

Work commences in Park Enclave

Development activities in Park Enclave have restarted. After the contract for residual work in the project was awarded, the contractor has started mobilising machinery.

The contractor has been directed to complete the development work within the given time frame.

Under this project, the remaining infrastructure development in Park Enclave would be carried out.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AGENCIES

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2019.