Slow but not steady: CDA’s lackadaisical attitude invites senator’s ire

Compensation for E-12 affected, slow progress of Park Enclave among issues.

ISLAMABAD:

Senators on Friday came down heavily on city managers for their delaying tactics in settlement of the affected people of E-12 sector, development of Park Enclave and the attitude of the civic agency boss.

The officials, however, assured the senators that the protracted dispute over a promised resettlement of E-12 affected people will be resolved soon. They promised that the residents of sector E-12 would be given plots in sector I-12.

In a meeting with members of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Friday, officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) sought two-week time to provide compensation to the E-12 residents who have been affected by development work in the sector.

The meeting, held at the Parliament House was chaired by Senator Kalsoom Perveen.

The standing committee members -- Senator Najma Hameed, Senator Sughra Imam, Senator Robina Khalid, Senator Haji Saifullah Khan Bangash and Senator Haji Ghulam Ali Khan Mandokhel -- besides CDA officers and members of the ICT administration attended the meeting.

The committee also expressed annoyance over the absence of CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal in the proceedings.

Perveen pointed out that a senator had already moved a privilege motion against Afzal for his attitude. If the chairman fails to make it to the next meeting, the committee will opt to exercise its constitutional mandate by issuing summons to ensure his presence, she warned.

Moreover, the standing committee members also took notice of the delay in initiating development work of infrastructure at Park Enclave, a housing project launched by the CDA back in 2011.

Member Planning Waseem Ahmad Khan informed that tenders to hire a contractor firm for the purpose have been published, and a consultant firm for supervision of the construction process will be hired soon.

The CDA officials gave reasons for the 30 years delay in awarding alternative residential plots to land owners of E-12.

Member Estate Shaista Sohail informed the meeting that negotiations with representatives of the affected residents had already been finalised, and the CDA would compensate all such residents with residential plots in I-12.

Issues such as resizing of plots which are to be allocated to the affected residents have also been resolved, she said. Allotment letters for this purpose have been published with emphasis on security would be given to the affected residents in the next 15 days.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2014.