Unwelcome moves: Guesthouse owners, local NGOs bristle at orders to relocate
PDA has been disconnecting utilities after issuing show-cause notices.
According to the court order, PDA was asked to issue show-cause notices to those running commercial activities. PHOTO: PPI
PESHAWAR:
Guesthouse owners and non-governmental organisations (NGO) have requested the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and chief minister (CM) to reconsider the closure of their businesses in residential areas.
“I cannot transfer my 25-year-old business to another area on a three-day notice,” said All Guesthouse Association President Abdul Muqeem Khan at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday. Muqeem requested the PHC to hear their grievances.
The Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) started its operation against guesthouses, private clinics and other commercial business within Hayatabad and University Town. The action was taken after September 25 when the PHC ordered them to shut down commercial activities in residential areas.
On October 10, a handout from the CM directed the local administration to “soften” the deadline for schools and hospitals to ease out the process for students and patients.
According to the court order, PDA was asked to issue show-cause notices to those running commercial activities and if respondents do not comply, authorities are to suspend the supply of electricity, water and gas. NGOs, hospitals and private schools have also been issued notices – school owners have claimed at least 30 schools in University Town have already been shut down.
No harm, no foul
Muqeem said PDA disconnected the supply of utilities to guesthouses even though he pays Rs500,000 in taxes every month for his two guesthouses. “Guesthouses are situated in residential areas around the world. These businesses are not doing anything illegal which might necessitate a crackdown against them.”
The upmarket areas of University Town and Hayatabad are also a hub for international and local NGOs. Authorities have also issued notices to their offices to leave both localities.
Pakistan NGO Forum President Professor Ismail argued the NGOs are not running on a “commercial basis” but are associated with social and humanitarian activities.
He also requested the PHC to order PDA officials to revoke notices issued to NGOs situated in the residential areas.
Under present circumstances when NGOs face high security risks, they cannot safely set up their offices in most locations, pointed out Ismail.
“That international NGOs and agencies, which almost cover all of University Town, have not been issued any notices to vacate the area is injust,” said the professor. “Only small, local organisations are being forced to close down their offices.”
Owners of private medical clinics also stressed they serve important needs by providing people from the neighbourhoods with healthcare facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.
Guesthouse owners and non-governmental organisations (NGO) have requested the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and chief minister (CM) to reconsider the closure of their businesses in residential areas.
“I cannot transfer my 25-year-old business to another area on a three-day notice,” said All Guesthouse Association President Abdul Muqeem Khan at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday. Muqeem requested the PHC to hear their grievances.
The Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) started its operation against guesthouses, private clinics and other commercial business within Hayatabad and University Town. The action was taken after September 25 when the PHC ordered them to shut down commercial activities in residential areas.
On October 10, a handout from the CM directed the local administration to “soften” the deadline for schools and hospitals to ease out the process for students and patients.
According to the court order, PDA was asked to issue show-cause notices to those running commercial activities and if respondents do not comply, authorities are to suspend the supply of electricity, water and gas. NGOs, hospitals and private schools have also been issued notices – school owners have claimed at least 30 schools in University Town have already been shut down.
No harm, no foul
Muqeem said PDA disconnected the supply of utilities to guesthouses even though he pays Rs500,000 in taxes every month for his two guesthouses. “Guesthouses are situated in residential areas around the world. These businesses are not doing anything illegal which might necessitate a crackdown against them.”
The upmarket areas of University Town and Hayatabad are also a hub for international and local NGOs. Authorities have also issued notices to their offices to leave both localities.
Pakistan NGO Forum President Professor Ismail argued the NGOs are not running on a “commercial basis” but are associated with social and humanitarian activities.
He also requested the PHC to order PDA officials to revoke notices issued to NGOs situated in the residential areas.
Under present circumstances when NGOs face high security risks, they cannot safely set up their offices in most locations, pointed out Ismail.
“That international NGOs and agencies, which almost cover all of University Town, have not been issued any notices to vacate the area is injust,” said the professor. “Only small, local organisations are being forced to close down their offices.”
Owners of private medical clinics also stressed they serve important needs by providing people from the neighbourhoods with healthcare facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2013.