ISLAMABAD: Former chairman CDA Kamran Lashari, the man behind the leasing out of Lakeview Park land, was surprised to see the misuse or non-utilisation of the land during a visit to the site.

Mr Lashari, who had leased out the land for entertainment facilities, recently visited the site on the directives of the Supreme Court to check the status of land.

Mr Lashari told Dawn on Sunday that the idea behind leasing out the land against nominal charges was to provide unique facilities to the citizens such as open play fields with the modern concept of rock climbing, ice skating, dirt bike track, horse riding etc.

Around 50pc of leaseholders have not followed terms and conditions, says former CDA chairman

“Around 50pc of the leaseholders have not followed the terms and conditions which is an utter disappointment for me,” he said.

Some of the leaseholders, after getting the land, left it abandoned which is against the spirit of the entire scheme, he said.

Mr Lashari and the incumbent CDA Chairman Usman Akhtar Bajwa during the visit to the park pointed out various violations of the lease.

Following their visit, the CDA finalised a report which was submitted to the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

“We submitted the report on March 13 to the SC but it could not properly be taken up by the apex court as the case was fixed for March 27,” said Director Environment Irfan Niazi.

The report (available with Dawn) stated that five firms had been issued cancellation notices.

“Out of the total 11 leases, five deserved to be cancelled immediately for clear violations of the terms and conditions and misuse of the land. The remaining six leases are not being cancelled.”

The report said out of the six, two leaseholders were performing up to the marks while the four others would be issued notices for taking corrective measures within a month.

“In a nutshell, out of the 79.56 acres leased out land, 41.20 acres are being retrieved after cancellation of the leases,” the report said.

It said the concept of the scheme was meant for environment friendly activities to keep the entertainment zone with minimum construction.

“However, some of the leaseholders misused the space by cluttering with khokhas and substandard playing gadgets and typical mela kind of swings/rides damaging the environment of the entire zone. Contradictory to the basic concept of the entertainment zone, some have subleased the project in an unauthorised manner or kept it at a very substandard level with no investment, upkeep or outlook despite passage of almost 11 years.”

The report said out of 12 leaseholders, Falcon Enterprises already stands cancelled and the site has been taken over by the CDA.

Only two leaseholders - Extreme Thrill operating under brand name of F-I Traxx and 2F2F Formula Go Karting - were found up to the mark and are recommended for continuation of the leases. Revive Foundation (Ibex club), M/s Rock, Trendy Amusement BMX cycling and ABS Progressive Jinnah Golf Range have been issued notices to take corrective measures within one month, failing which the leases will be cancelled.

“As for as the other five leases are concerned, a few of them have completely failed to show any substantial development and standards at the site. Some of them have established various facilities in violation of the approved plan besides subletting the leases,” the report said, adding cancellation notices had been issued to five firms - Battlefield, Horse & Horseman, Development Aids, Fun & Joy and ESP Initiative.

“In case of failure to comply with the notice, the leases will be terminated forthwith,” the report concluded.

Some CDA officials said departmental action should also be taken against officers who did nothing against the misuse of the land by the leaseholders.

“Our bosses came into action to cancel the leases of five firms only after the Supreme Court took up the matter. Why no action was taken earlier,” said a CDA officer who requested not to be named.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018