ISLAMABAD: After an introductory briefing from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday, Federal Ombudsman Syed Tahir Shahbaz has summoned a meeting on Islamabad’s wedding halls and marquees today (Thursday) that will consist of CDA officials and operators of such establishments.

A press release issued the ombudsman’s office on Wednesday stated: “The Federal Ombudsman has asked all the parties to submit the documents, which are necessary details about the Marriage Halls and Marquees. All the concerned parties have also been desired to submit their written reports.”

The ombudsman was authorised a few days ago by the Supreme Court to inquire into wedding halls and marquees.

Ombudsman was authorised to inquire into wedding halls, marquees by SC

Sources said the ombudsman decided to hold a meeting of stakeholders on Thursday after being briefed by two CDA members on Wednesday.

The CDA had recently submitted a list before the SC stating that all 67 marquees and wedding halls functioning in Islamabad were doing so without its permission.

However, the authority, which has opposed the operation of these establishments in Zone III, is itself a patron to two marquees in the same zone along Murree Road at Rawal Dam Chowk, where they have been operating on plots originally allotted for motels. Both marquees have been running for the last five years on “temporary permission” issued by the CDA in 2013.

Sources said that these two establishments were not on the CDA’s list for the SC because of the temporary permission granted to them.

“There is need for a proper inquiry into this case,” said a CDA official who expressed doubt over the authority’s claims of five-year temporary permission.

A source said that the temporary permission for one of the establishments was withdrawn in March last year. “The operator got a stay order from a local court, and CDA officials never made any attempts to have the stay order vacated,” the source said.

CDA Member Planning Asad Mehboob Kayani said he “was told by my staff” that the establishments’ temporary permission would expire in May and June. He said he would check the case.

Last week, the CDA sealed two marquees in H-13 during its first operation against them. But the SC on Monday ordered the authority to halt its operation and unseal the marquees, before referring the matter to the Federal Ombudsman.

After being censured by the SC, the CDA has formulated new rules and regulations for such establishments. Sources said that 25 marquee and hotel owners have applied for regulation since the authority formed the rules.

CDA officials have also said that marquees operating in G-12, H-16 and Banigala cannot be regulated as zoning regulations do not allow such businesses in those areas.

However, the case of an owner of a Banigala marquee who pleaded before the SC that the CDA was discriminating against him has been referred to the ombudsman, who will submit his report by the end of the week.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2018