Political parities set up unauthorised camps

The political parties have not obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from CDA for setting up these relief camps.

ISLAMABAD: The over 50 flood relief camps set up by major political parties in the capital city are unauthorised, according to Mansoor Ahmed, Director Municipal Administration, Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Talking to the Express Tribune, Ahmed said that Pakistan Muslim League (N), PML- Q, Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan and Tehreek-e-Insaf have not obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from CDA for setting up these relief camps where they raise funds and collect relief items.

“We have given them till Eid to acquire these NOCs; otherwise these camps would be removed,” Ahmed added.

Dr Tariq Fazal, MNA PML-N, said that the party had set up four relief camps in the capital. “We have taken permission from the Islamabad Administration, but not CDA,” he said. He also denied receiving any letters from CDA in this regard.  Sajjad Abassi, Secretary Information Jammat-e-Islamai, said that they had set up 14 relief camps in the capital and claimed that the party had taken a NOC. “We have taken permission which is why we can set up a relief camp anywhere we like,” Abbasi said. However, Mansoor Ahmed, rejected this statement as incorrect and said that Jamaat-e-Islamai had not obtained an NOC.

Col Younas Ali, Joint Secretary and Chief Coordinator of relief camps in Islamabad for Tehrek-e-Insaf, told the Express Tribune that during the October 2005 earthquake, they had set up relief camps without obtaining an NOC. Therefore they did the same this time too. “We have set up our relief camps in main Aabpara Market, Jinnah, F-10 Markaz and will set up more soon, “ he added.

Imtiaz Ranjha, Secretary Finance Muslim League (Q), said his party had set one relief camp in their office. To this statement, Mansoor Ahmed, claimed that though PML-Q had set up their camp at their office, there were promotional banners across the capital for which no NOC was obtained. Amir Ali Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad said that political parties need to follow the law, “It is better that they take the NOC within the given timeframe. Otherwise strict action should be taken against them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2010.