The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has instructed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to devise a sustainable solution to the persistent parking problems caused by vehicle showrooms across different sectors of the federal capital within a one-month timeframe.
During a hearing, IHC Justice, Justice Babar Sattar ordered the CDA lawyer to study parking models implemented in cities such as London, Delhi, Malaysia, and Singapore. Additionally, the court mandated that the CDA chairman engage with stakeholders to propose permanent remedies to the issue at hand.
The legal proceedings, initiated in response to the sealing of over 100 CDA car showrooms, also saw Justice Babar Sattar order the inclusion of the inspector general of Islamabad police and the senior superintendent of the traffic police as parties to the case.
Kashif Ali Malik Advocate, representing the petitioners, argued that penalising showroom owners for parking violations was a more appropriate response than entirely shutting down their businesses. He emphasised that with new automobiles increasingly out of reach for many, individuals were turning to secondhand vehicles, making showroom accessibility essential.
He further contended that establishing showrooms in commercial areas was not in violation of the law.
Moreover, the court sought clarification about the allocation of plots for parking by the CDA. To this, the CDA lawyer responded that he would provide the court with the necessary information once it is collected.
The court cautioned that if a sustainable solution could not be reached, the parking violations would persist. It also directed the CDA to issue prior notices before sealing any non-compliant showrooms. The court stressed that non-compliance with the law would not garner sympathy, adding that the new CDA chairman needed to be briefed on the sealing process by the relevant officer.
The hearing of the case was adjourned for one month to allow for further deliberation and the development of a comprehensive solution.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2023.
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