ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday initiated inquiry against deputy director general (DDG) Building Control Section Malik Ghulam Murtaza for allegedly approving map and design of Safa Gold Mall in violation of rules.

The CDA chairman, Maroof Afzal, referred a case in this regard to the Directorate of Securities, to inquire into the alleged wrongdoings of the DDG in approving maps and designs of the building in 2011 and 2012.

Sarwar Sindhu, the director general planning at that time, who approved the plan of the building, was being tipped as DG Securities, which holds inquiries and recommends disciplinary action against the wrongdoer.

The directives issued by the CDA chairman, accused Mr Murtaza of approving the map and design of Safa Gold Mall without following rules and regulation.

It has been stated that the additional three floors not only caused loss to the civic body but was also in violation of building codes.

Mr Murtaza, currently serving as deputy director general (DDG) architect, however, said that he was not aware of any inquiry being initiated against him over the Safa Gold Mall.

He clarified that all the actions taken by him were in accordance with the laws and as per the policy of the CDA.

“I have noted on the documents that the permission is being granted in the presence of Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, the then CDA chairman,” Mr Murtaza told Dawn.

He said, “The decision has the approval of the director general planning.”

The DG planning at that time was Sarwar Sindhu, who is now an officer on special duty (OSD), as he was served show cause notice for being involved in malpractices in the affairs of Diplomatic Shuttle Service.

Officials in the planning department said that the main role of the DG planning was to approve bylaws of a project and he allowed the building to have additional floors based on certain exemptions.

However, the management of the CDA is set to make Mr Sindhu DG Securities and Enforcement, and senior officials said that the order in this regard is likely to be issued in a day or two.

“The CDA chairman held a meeting with Mr Sindhu on Tuesday, and if he is made DG Securities then he will supervise the inquiry against the DDG building control,” said a senior official in the planning wing.

Mr Murtaza was also accused of granting permission to cover a natural stream adjacent to the Safa Gold plot.

However, he said, “I told the management of Safa Gold to make three basements for car parking. If they have sold one of the basements for setting up shops or anything else, it is the responsibility of the enforcement wing to check.”

He said that the maps and design to build additional floors were based on permissions granted by the planning department of the CDA.

“These permissions were based on earlier precedent set by the CDA in case of Avari Hotel in G-6 sector and a high rise building at plot number 16-E in F-8 Markaz opposite to the excise office,” he added.