Capital traders decry unlawful constructions

Say completion certificates being issued to buildings which have been declared illegal

ISLAMABAD:

The recent cropping up of shopping plazas and other infrastructure in various sectors of the federal capital comes at the expense of marring the planned city’s well-thought-out layout.

All Pakistan Association of Traders and Traders Action Committee’s Islamabad President Ajmal Baloch and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Traders Committee’s Secretary and Convener, Khalid Chaudhry, exclaimed on Saturday that the master plan of Islamabad was “ruined”.

Echoing their concerns, they said: “Plazas being constructed in street markets and sub-sectors in place of smaller stores which sell items of daily use are a cause of concern. The small markets have existed as part of the master plan since its inception, and it is now being neglected as these vital stores are being demolished.”

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Shops and markets were thoughtfully incorporated into the city planning to meet the needs of the local population. It included various services, such as barbers, cobblers, greengrocers, general stores, milk, yoghurt, hardware and other small sellers. Several shops that were previously situated in the markets of the federal capital have been closed down.

The trader’s association believes this to be an illegal act. “The question is, where these small shops and businesses would go,” they questioned, lamenting that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Building Control Department formally approved alteration to the planned maps, which was illegal.

It was further pointed out that illegal constructions were underway in several sub-sector markets including Farooqia Market in F-6/1. “Despite the submission of many complaints, construction work in Farooqia market has not stopped,” they claimed, adding that the street where the work was taking place had been closed and a transformer was installed. The public road in the area was bored and blocked, which obstructed the citizens’ daily routine.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2024.