ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealed 23 business outlets operating in residential houses in F-7 on Tuesday.
CDA spokesperson Ramzan Sajid said: “Technically, there is no relaxation for these outlets because non-confirming use is a violation of building bylaws. You can say we have sealed these outlets for good.”
However, Mr Sajid said, the violators could approach the court of Deputy Commissioner CDA where they could pay fines and submit affidavits to ensure they will remove their business from residential areas within a specified timeframe. In that case, Mr Ramzan Sajid said, they can be granted some time.
The sealed outlets include Tuscany Restaurant, Depilex Parlour, Royili Boutique, Kundan Boutique, Jugnoo’s Salon, Samsung showroom, Angeethi Restaurant, Yasraj Boutique, Fitness Club, Bistro Restaurant, Zefra Restaurant, Kitchen Cuisine, Entrouge, Tiffany and others.
Over 1,700 business outlets have been operating in residential sectors in Islamabad. The CDA has a history of starting and then abandoning proceedings against such businesses.
This time around, Mr Sajid claims, the operation will go on until all non-confirming use of residential areas has been eliminated.
The operation is being carried out by the Enforcement Directorate together with Building Control and other concerned organizations and in the presence of a CDA magistrate.
A CDA statement reads, “We started this operation after the expiry of its ten day deadline given earlier to the violators to bring back their premises to conforming use in accordance with the Islamabad Residential Sector Zoning Regulation, 2005”.
Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2015
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