ISLAMABAD, April 27: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to implement its building regulations in Zone-IV and Zone-V of the capital.

“We are going to take swift action within two weeks as per the directions of Islamabad High Court (IHC) against all the housing societies located in rural and urban areas of the capital city to ensure that the building code is followed in letter and spirit by these societies,” said CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz while talking to Dawn.

Around 30 housing societies, according to one official, would see CDA building control by-laws implementation in the city.

The housing societies located under the administrative control of the capital territory administration will also face action, added the official.

Another official said: “We will shortly float an advertisement in the press as per the directions of the Supreme Court and the IHC.”

The Supreme Court in 2007 had directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to demolish all buildings violating building by-laws.

The LDA later razed all the high-rise buildings constructed in violation of the rules and regulations.

The Islamabad High Court recently directed the authority to submit a report by May 21 about the implementation of the building regulations.

The advertisement will convey to all the housing society managements and their residents the superior court directions on the matter relating to implementation of the building by-laws.

The official said Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the IHC had directed the Capital Development Authority to ensure implementation of its orders regarding implementation of the building by-laws.

A planning wing official said the CDA Board had decided to take up the issue by next week and submit a reply to the court by the deadline of May 21.

Obaid Abbasi, a high court lawyer, while talking to Dawn maintained that the CDA Ordinance 1960 empowered the authority to approve all building plans in the housing societies.

This requirement remains valid even if these buildings are registered with the ICT circle registrar office, which registers private housing societies.

Mr Abbasi said by approving the building plans the authority would also generate funds from around 50,000 housing units in the city.