Too little, too late?: CDA takes action against illegal housing societies
Enforcement teams raze partial structures at two schemes on Lehtrar Road
CDA on Sunday initiated action against illegal housing societies in the city. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Sunday initiated action against illegal housing societies in the city and demolished partial structures in two such colonies.
The two societies, Paradise Housing Scheme and Eden Life, are located in Zone-IV, which alone houses around 64 illegal housing schemes. There are 109 unapproved housing schemes operating within the municipal limits of the civic agency.
The long-due action came after Special Assistant to Prime Minister Barrister Zafarullah Khan took notice of the issue of illegal housing societies. Khan was given the current portfolio after he resigned from the post of law secretary in November 2014.
“Khan has been taking special interest in the affairs of the CDA,” said a board member of the authority who appeared a bit annoyed and questioned the grounds on which “Khan is overseeing CDA affairs.”
In the recent past, Khan also took presentations from the CDA Board at the authority’s headquarters, where he was briefed about ongoing projects and other issues, the officer said.
The official added that Khan had recently directed the authority to send him a copy of every published news item related to the CDA. He issues necessary directions to the authority against every news item, the official said further.
Sunday’s action was also taken following Khan’s directions.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Khan said he had been trying to streamline the affairs of CDA. “It’s just the beginning. Things will start moving in right direction soon,” he said.
Referring to reservations of CDA officers about his “interference” in the authority, Khan said he was a special assistant to the PM on parliamentary affairs and overseeing affairs of the CDA was part of his job.
“Rules of Business 1973 are pretty much clear. Prior to sharing reservations, the CDA officers should go through the rules,” Khan said, adding that the CDA was an attached department of the Cabinet Division, and being an adviser on parliamentary affairs he was mandated to look into its affairs.
According to a press statement issued by the authority, “Enforcement staff of the authority along with officials of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration and Islamabad Police took action against Paradise Housing Scheme located at Lehtrar Road and demolished a boundary wall, outer periphery and opening face of the society.” The civic agency had already served notices on the illegal housing scheme.
The CDA also took action against Eden Life housing scheme and removed sign boards of the society from Lehtrar Road, the statement said.
As many as 64 illegal housing schemes are currently operating in Zone-IV, 16 in Zone-II and Zone-III and 29 in Zone-V of the city. Under the CDA laws, all construction activities are banned in Zone-III — a national park area — but six illegal schemes still operate there.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2015.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Sunday initiated action against illegal housing societies in the city and demolished partial structures in two such colonies.
The two societies, Paradise Housing Scheme and Eden Life, are located in Zone-IV, which alone houses around 64 illegal housing schemes. There are 109 unapproved housing schemes operating within the municipal limits of the civic agency.
The long-due action came after Special Assistant to Prime Minister Barrister Zafarullah Khan took notice of the issue of illegal housing societies. Khan was given the current portfolio after he resigned from the post of law secretary in November 2014.
“Khan has been taking special interest in the affairs of the CDA,” said a board member of the authority who appeared a bit annoyed and questioned the grounds on which “Khan is overseeing CDA affairs.”
In the recent past, Khan also took presentations from the CDA Board at the authority’s headquarters, where he was briefed about ongoing projects and other issues, the officer said.
The official added that Khan had recently directed the authority to send him a copy of every published news item related to the CDA. He issues necessary directions to the authority against every news item, the official said further.
Sunday’s action was also taken following Khan’s directions.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Khan said he had been trying to streamline the affairs of CDA. “It’s just the beginning. Things will start moving in right direction soon,” he said.
Referring to reservations of CDA officers about his “interference” in the authority, Khan said he was a special assistant to the PM on parliamentary affairs and overseeing affairs of the CDA was part of his job.
“Rules of Business 1973 are pretty much clear. Prior to sharing reservations, the CDA officers should go through the rules,” Khan said, adding that the CDA was an attached department of the Cabinet Division, and being an adviser on parliamentary affairs he was mandated to look into its affairs.
According to a press statement issued by the authority, “Enforcement staff of the authority along with officials of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration and Islamabad Police took action against Paradise Housing Scheme located at Lehtrar Road and demolished a boundary wall, outer periphery and opening face of the society.” The civic agency had already served notices on the illegal housing scheme.
The CDA also took action against Eden Life housing scheme and removed sign boards of the society from Lehtrar Road, the statement said.
As many as 64 illegal housing schemes are currently operating in Zone-IV, 16 in Zone-II and Zone-III and 29 in Zone-V of the city. Under the CDA laws, all construction activities are banned in Zone-III — a national park area — but six illegal schemes still operate there.
CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal has directed the department concerned to peruse the cases vigorously for early vacation of stay orders that illegal societies have obtained from the courts. He said CDA would take up the mater with SNGPL, Wapda and PTCL who have provided different facilities and services in these housing societies without issuance of a mandatory no-objection certificate from CDA.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2015.