E-Paper | May 31, 2026

Imran Khan’s Bani Gala residence among 122 illegal constructions, says municipal authorities

Haseeb Bhatti Published May 9, 2017
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The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration on Monday declared 122 properties in Islamabad’s Bani Gala, including the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan, as illegal.

The CDA and the ICT submitted a report before the the Supreme Court, after conducting a survey of the area, as per the top court's order issued after a sou moto notice was taken.

The construction of structures in zone three and four of Islamabad are illegal as they are in violation of zoning regulations, the report said and added that Section 144 has been imposed in the area

The report also recommended demolishing all illegal constructions in the area.

The court had earlier taken notice on a letter, written by Imran Khan, which had complained about unchecked and unplanned construction in the Bani Gala area, widespread denuding due to large scale deforestation and the pollution of Rawal Lake with sewage.

The hearing of the case will resume tomorrow on Wednesday.

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ghaznavi
May 09, 2017 08:42pm
Politics by the PMLN government to malign the PTI
Recommend 0
Nomi Goraya
May 09, 2017 08:50pm
JUSTICE begins at home BANI GALA as scheme is sheer violation of all laws of CDA and it was built by bypassing all the laws since inessentials built their palaces so they amend the laws. Now the only problem is that size of middle class population is growing taking the advantage of those amended laws and this is hurting the ego of those who have palaces at the shores of RAWAL LAKE the intent to demolish the illegal structures was that middle class housing but it is said that LAW is BLIND so lets face the JUSTICE and the best part is this is coming from same SC. Time for IK to show that LAW is above all
Recommend 0
Mk
May 09, 2017 08:53pm
IK built his house on 200 Kinals but now wants SC to stop middle class moving in that area. SC should give whole Bani Gala to IK otherwise they should be ready to get abuse.
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Amir
May 09, 2017 08:54pm
CDA itself is a corrupt body that allows illegal construction. can someone also check how Sharif may have gotten approval to build their raiwind state how Zardari in sindh has gobbled up land around bilawal house and constructed illegal walls etc
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Khan-haqiqi
May 09, 2017 09:06pm
Will Imran follow the law?
Recommend 0
javed
May 09, 2017 09:07pm
The govt. of PML-N is hitting this one below the belt. And looks bad for doing so.
Recommend 0
Harmony-1©
May 09, 2017 09:11pm
They are hounding him all corners!
Recommend 0
Tehreke Bakwaas
May 09, 2017 09:18pm
@Harmony-1© I certainly hope so.
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Muhammad qasim
May 09, 2017 09:32pm
It looks like as IK hadn't checked if house plan is legally approved by relevant department. Our leader should set good example and always check if their actions are legal. I have seen some people in Karachi were sold flats whom plan were not approved by government. Some were demolished while others weren't. The case could be decided on cost and benefits of any action.
Recommend 0
rashid ansim
May 09, 2017 10:08pm
This is amazing where departments which are responsible for give approvals and oversea constructions had their eyes closed when these 122 houses were build, now all of a sudden when Panama case is taking shape; all 122 house were constructed illegally, including IK's house. Shame on NS and family. I hope NS family after Panama and Dawn Leaks decisions are thrown in jail or on on streets and will have no place to live, hope they become beggars on the street of Gulberg Lahore.
Recommend 0
Maria
May 09, 2017 11:01pm
@rashid ansim so true. Totally agree
Recommend 0
Malik W
May 09, 2017 11:16pm
PML-N getting desperate
Recommend 0
Analyst
May 09, 2017 11:32pm
Excellent way to silence who want to bring the rule of law. Can anyone imagine, if a teacher, policeman, tehsildar, etc. raises concerns about corruption. I am sure one way or the other everyone is involved to some extent. The question is where you start?
Recommend 0
Sajjad
May 09, 2017 11:53pm
Why is he being surrounded from all directions…. Are there not obvious corrupt people and politicians in the country?
Recommend 0
PANAMA
May 10, 2017 12:03am
@Nomi Goraya "Time for IK to show that LAW is above all". We the tax payers want our next PM to be clean like a whistle. Or, maybe pious like an angel. Nothing in-between. We would either settle for an angel, or else, we are fine with the most corrupt leaders at hand. The national leadership of a people is a true reflection of their national character.
Recommend 0
Muhammad qasim
May 10, 2017 12:14am
@javed CDA is giving statement of facts to Supreme Court, CDA can't lie. If CDA was just giving information to media then you can suspect that Government is involved.
Recommend 0
Princess_of_DHUMP
May 10, 2017 12:17am
ALL Structures, Imran Khan, Musharraf's or PML-N's Tariq Fazal Ch's farm houses in Bani Gala are illegal. The entire area was earmarked for vegetable farms. Musharraf violated first and since he was the "President' CDA did not do anything. Anyone having any doubts are welcome to read CDA's bylaws available on their website.
Recommend 0
Fazl Rab
May 10, 2017 12:24am
IK's property in Bani Gala is safe because there are 120 other violators in the same category and all of them belong to super privileged class lest they won't be there. Pakistan is safe for law violators not for law abiders. The biggest culprit is the CDA itself. They, knowingly and visibly kept their eyes shut when construction began and sure as hell, all the Chairmen of CDA are in it. So let the SC punish them all equally with due grace.
Recommend 0
Mahmood
May 10, 2017 01:08am
NS government abusing power to silence a political opponent and thorn in its side in the wake of Panama Leaks investigation against Sharif family, pure and simple. All these tactics reek of desperation to find any scapegoat to divert public attention and to consume court's valuable time. Which in my opinion, makes NS and his family even more loathsome than Zardari. They are a disgrace to decent and honest taxpayers of Pakistan.
Recommend 0
Nino
May 10, 2017 01:13am
Great preacher, zero practice. Imran thinks the laws are made for every one excepting him. Hardly PM material.
Recommend 0
Sam
May 10, 2017 01:17am
Y Imran khan under scanner after PANAMA What govt doing from 4 years
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AA
May 10, 2017 01:44am
How they finds out Constrcution is Illegal? Who was running CDA at time of Bani Galla house construction by Imran Khan. needs to finds out why that officer not Stop mr Khan. Did mr Khan give him Kick Back? Over all whole nation is Crook. Thanks I left and moved West
Recommend 0
SARA
May 10, 2017 02:22am
In media 99% political debate is about politicians and their mutual conflicts, not even 1% discussions are about real issues faced by common people
Recommend 0
Hussain
May 10, 2017 02:53am
living on 200 to 300 Kanal and talking about rights of poor people doesn't go together. In my it is corruption to live in such lavish style where most of the people suffering for just 3 times meals.
Recommend 0
Hasin Ahmed
May 10, 2017 05:19am
What was the CDA doing when these 122 houses were being built? Of course the owners of these houses certainly would not have built them all in a day. Did the authority issue any notices to the owners informing them that the construction of their houses was illegal. If not then why now. The action of the CDA smacks of evil intentions.
Recommend 0
Akram javed kayani
May 10, 2017 05:36am
Bani Gala is supposed to be a village and most of the houses\mansions constructed there are illegal. However who allowed this to happen? It was during the 90's Nawaz government that the first few houses were constructed on the shores of Rawal Dam and CDA had moved in with bulldozers to demolish them. The owners went running to NS and he asked CDA to stop the action saying something to the effect "Now do you want me to be responsible for destroying peoples homes" and from that day onwards there has been uncontrolled construction in the area.
Recommend 0
Akram javed kayani
May 10, 2017 05:38am
Bani Gala is part of Islamabad Rural zone, CDA is only responsible for zoning in that area. It's the TMA\Union council that is responsible for monitoring construction in the area and not CDA. CDA is responsible to approve individual construction in the Urban areas\zones of Islamabad.
Recommend 0
Ostrich Head In Hole.
May 10, 2017 05:56am
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration on Monday declared 122 properties in Islamabad’s Bani Gala, including the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan, as illegal. The pure and simple question that arises is, when were these illegal properties brought about (Constructed or erected), why action had not been taken the then, and when did CDA & ICT realized that all these 122 properties were illegal? I hope and expect that this point will be considered with due importance and priority during the court proceedings and or trial.
Recommend 0
Brar
May 10, 2017 06:05am
The officials who failed to take action when these houses were being constructed .
Recommend 0
Junaid goawala
May 10, 2017 06:14am
Now this is a very good example of political victimization
Recommend 0
Truth hurts
May 10, 2017 06:21am
If Imran Khan truly believes in Insaf, he should follow the law and not attempt to utilize the loopholes in the law. Should this happen, I will be the first person to vote for him coming elections.
Recommend 0
Akil Akhtar
May 10, 2017 06:35am
We have a mafia in power not politicians....
Recommend 0
Hassan
May 10, 2017 06:39am
I may agree that all these buildings are illegal, but why they took this decision after so many years? First they turn a blind eye to this for their own interests and let innocent people fall in this trap. After this they take notice again for their own interests. All the concerned departments and officers must pay the price from their own pockets for all this mess.
Recommend 0
asad lateef
May 10, 2017 06:59am
@ghaznavi let court decide.who are you
Recommend 0
baba
May 10, 2017 07:21am
All illegal constructions constructed within reasonable time span. Why the CDA did not stop the ongoing constructions there and then. The responsible for violation of CDA bye laws should heavily be penalized and fined.
Recommend 0
Aamir Latif
May 10, 2017 09:15am
There is a saying, look into your own house before spilling beans on others. I am sure IK will be looking into this......
Recommend 0
JKhan
May 10, 2017 10:09am
This is one aspect of low life in PML N.
Recommend 0
arif durrani
May 10, 2017 09:36pm
1st cda make money by allowing construction now they will make money again by declarhing it illegal. one of the most corrupt development authority in the country.......
Recommend 0

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