ISLAMABAD: Armed with the recent decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to clear commercial activities from residential areas, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Monday cancelled the allotment of 14 plots in the city.

After the final approval by the chairman CDA, the estate wing cancelled the allotment of the plots in F-6, F-7, F-8, F-10 and E-7 sectors. Houses built on these plots were being used for commercial activities.

“Since the allotments have been cancelled, the plots are non-transferable and, therefore, the houses cannot be sold now,” said CDA member estate Amer Ahmed Ali. “However, the allotees can get them back udder the ‘restoration policy.”

The CDA also cancelled three allotments in the G. sectors - all beauty parlours.

Currently, 249 cases of non-conforming use are under process in the CDA, including final show-cause notices to 52 houses in the F. series and E-7 sectors and 20 final notices to houses in G. series and I-10 sector. Officials said the CDA had gained confidence after the IHC on January 21 dismissed 23 petitions filed against the civic agency.

“The most serious obstacle to clear commercial activities from residential areas was the stay orders issued by local courts,” said an official of the estate department. “The owners of the 14 houses, whose allotments have been cancelled, were confident that they would get stay orders.”

There are currently 39 houses in the F. series and nine in the G. series whose cases are pending in the courts for non-conforming use.

The CDA has decided to speed up the process against the violators and issued 66 fresh show-cause notices during the last two weeks. These include 38 in F. and 28 in G. series.

Besides, 17 cases in the F. series and five in the G. series have been forwarded to the deputy commissioner CDA for hearing.

“As the court has dismissed the appeals, it is likely that the allotees would start abiding by the law and abolish commercial activities in residential areas,” CDA spokesman Asim Khichi said. “To ensure that action will be taken across the city, the CDA has started the drive from the upscale sectors.”

As stated by the spokesman, around four people paid the fines to the CDA and terminated commercial ventures in their houses to avoid cancellation of the plots.

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the CDA move to cancel the plots of houses where commercial activities were carried out.

Published in Dawn January 28th, 2015

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