May 18, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 01, 1428

ISLAMABAD, May 17: A blunt example of favouritism and discrimination between the weak and the strong was seen here at Noorpur Shahan on Thursday when the Capital Development Authority (CDA) staff razed one dozen houses which they declared “newly constructed and illegal” and did not touch two shops allegedly constructed at the same place by the in charge of Bari Imam shrine, eyewitnesses told Dawn.

They said the personnel of CDA’s enforcement directorate headed by a deputy director, Raja Asghar, conducted the operation and demolished 12 houses located close to the shrine.

An eyewitness, who wished not to be named, said the houses were constructed by poor people of the area.

However, a CDA official said these were illegal houses as they were constructed a few days ago. He said according to a decision of the authority no new construction could be done in the area as the Noorpur Shahan village had been acquired by the CDA. But compensation for the land and built-up property is yet to given to the landholders.

The official agreed that two shops constructed by the shrine in charge had not been demolished.

Meanwhile, local administration is taking strict measures to provide security to the devotees during the Bari Imam Urs starting from May 27.

Noorpur Shahan has also been declared one of the sensitive areas in the capital due to its proximity to the Prime Minister House and Diplomatic Enclave.