Roadblocks: Make policy for legitimate concerns, SC tells civic agency

CDA says mechanism for security outside sensitive buildings being made.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has granted two weeks to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to remove roadblocks from in front of private buildings.

The court also asked the CDA to evolve a mechanism to cater to the security needs of sensitive premises.

A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, ordered the civic agency to ask the Islamabad Police to identify sensitive buildings which have legitimate security concerns so that appropriate security licenses could be granted.

The bench has expressed wonder that despite the tense security situation in the country, rules have not been developed to cater to security issues. Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, the other member of the bench, observed that till the time the CDA works out a proper mechanism, no sensitive building should be deprived of security.

“Why…the people running CDA have no clue about the changed security situation in the country,” he further remarked.

CDA counsel Hafiz SA Rehman admitted that security threats have increased manifold in the last 15 years.

Referring to the footpaths and roads blocked by intelligence agencies, the CDA admitted that some barricades were necessary, but explained that within two weeks, the license regime will be made available so that a balance is reached.

Referring to unauthorised structures or concrete walls erected by many foreign missions and international agencies, Advocate Rehman said the CDA had removed 18 blockades after going through the required channel — the foreign office.

He explained that letters have been written to violating embassies in which their attention has been invited to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which calls for respecting local laws of the country where the foreign mission is situated.

Instead of placing security walls outside premises, it can be placed on the inside, Justice Azmat suggested.

The CDA then assured the Supreme Court that the removal of encroachments from outside 18 diplomatic missions and international agencies has been completed, while the rest will be done within the next eight weeks.

Referring to security blockades put in place by the Islamabad Police, the CDA informed that 81 out of a total of 90 barricades have been cleared, while the remaining nine are in the process of being removed.

On blockades set up outside private residences, the CDA said 18 of the total 87 known barriers have been cleared, while action is being taken to remove the rest. The CDA has asked for a month to complete the exercise, but the court only gave it two weeks.

The case was adjourned till February 24.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2015.