ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) drive to remove commercial activity from residential areas has slowed down, after an enthusiastic start last year, with nearly 50pc of commercial outlets still operating in residential areas.

According to the CDA’s latest documents, available with Dawn, out of a total 1,695 nonconforming properties, the CDA has so far managed to end non-conforming use in 893 residential buildings, either by force or voluntarily. “The total number of non-conforming properties has now reduced to 824,” the documents said.

These include mainly schools, guesthouses, clinics and offices – mainly lawyers, according to the documents.

Of the total closed businesses, the CDA’s documents show that 241 houses were sealed until June 23. They stated that, as a result of the authority’s ongoing campaign, violators have continued to voluntarily bring their properties into conforming use.

According to CDA documents, 824 properties still being used for commercial purposes

“So far, 652 premises have been voluntarily brought into conforming use by the owners/occupants.”

CDA building control director Shafi Mohammad Marwat said the CDA’s operation against the non-conforming use of residential houses is continuing successfully.

“Around 800 commercial buildings are operating in residential areas, but these are mainly schools, guesthouses, clinics and professionals’ offices – such as lawyers’ offices. Around 50 media outlets are also operating from residential areas,” he said.

When asked about delays in the campaign, Mr Marwat confirmed that 241 houses were sealed owners of 652 premises voluntarily brought their property into conforming use. “It’s our big achievement, actually,” he said. “We don’t want to create chaos in the city, rather we are moving forward tactfully.”

According to the CDA’s documents, of a total 31 government offices, 18 have been vacated.

According to the documents, coercive action to seal guesthouses was launched on Jun 8, which was resisted by the Guest Houses Association Islamabad. The operation was halted due to the law and order situation, and the next day, a protest was held outside CDA Headquarters.

The protesters had argued that since their case had been remanded back by the Supreme Court to the Islamabad High Court, adverse action may not be taken until the court’s final decision. They also demanded that the operation against guesthouses not be carried out in Ramazan.

The document said the assistance of the police would be sought to seal guesthouses that do not have stay orders if they do not comply.

Schools in residential areas

Officials from the CDA building control department told Dawn that in April this year, a committee made up of Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, CDA Member Planning Waseem Ahmed Khan, Deputy Mayor Riffat Javed, Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Joint Secretary Dr Tariq Mouj, finalised a plan to relocate private educational institutions operating in residential areas.

The committee suggested that the federal government ask the SC to give schools two years to shift to purpose-built buildings. It also suggested that the authority offer 120 plots of four kanals each, and the Federal Directorate of Education should explore the possibility of getting 120 plots by cutting down the size of constructed, vacant government educational institutions. These plots would be given to private schools in five year instalments.

So far no action has been taken on the aforementioned plan. A CDA official who asked not to be named said: “We have moved the report to CADD; the recommendatory report is lying pending in CADD.”

He said according to the SC’s directive, schools operating in residential areas fall within the category of non-conforming use. He said the committee – which was constituted on a directive from the interior minister – gave a valuable solution to the matter in its reports, “but we don’t know why CADD is sitting on that report”.

There are currently 317 registered and 32 unregistered schools operating in Islamabad’s residential areas.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2016