IHC orders crackdown on illegal guesthouses

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to take firm action against illegal guesthouses and hostels operating within residential areas of the federal capital.

The court simultaneously dismissed several petitions that had sought to restrain such enforcement, with two withdrawn by the petitioners and three dismissed for non-prosecution. As a result, the stay order previously preventing CDA from proceeding against unauthorised establishments has been vacated.

Justice Inam Amin Minhas heard the consolidated petitions submitted by various guesthouse and hostel owners. During the hearing, CDA's counsel, Barrister Bilal Naseer, informed the court that the petitioners had allegedly relied on a forged notification to secure the earlier stay order.

He asserted that counterfeit notices were deliberately used to impede enforcement against violations of zoning regulations and to circumvent lawful action.

Concluding the proceedings, the court dismissed the petitions and instructed CDA to continue its operation against illegal guesthouses and hostels in residential zones.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, Manzoor Jajja, said that if any lawyer is found to have participated in the preparation or use of the forged notification, strict disciplinary action would be taken by the Bar.