ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) management may bring changes to the zoning regulations of 1992 in order to provide relief to citizens who have already built houses in areas where construction is banned.

The CDA has been facing pressure from various quarters including local representatives for imposing a ban on illegal construction in Islamabad and has in principle decided to make changes to the zoning regulations to give legal cover to the already constructed houses in the various zones, particularly Zone III.

According to the regulations of 1992, no construction can take place in this zone, which consists of the National Park area, Bani Gala, Shahdara, Malpur and part of Bhara Kahu among others.

“The regulations of 1992 do not allow construction in Zone III but because of negligence by successive CDA managements, construction has already taken place here. People started criticised us when we tried to stop this illegal practice in Zone III and IV,” said Member Planning Asad Mehboob Kayani.

Civic agency asks Cabinet Division to exempt new constructions in these areas, says CDA Member Planning

He said that for providing relief to citizens, the CDA has decided to bring changes in the zoning regulations of 1992 via the federal government.

“We are working on two proposals. In 2015, the CDA had requested the Cabinet Division for exemption of regulations relating to new construction, the response for which is awaited and the current management is pursuing the same letter to get some exemption so construction can take place and we are also working on proposals for making changes to the regulations,” he said.

Till the Cabinet Division provides exemption or changes in regulations are made, construction cannot be allowed in Zone III.

Zone IV consists of part of Bhara Kahu, Shahzad Town, Lethrar, Khana Pul, Iqbal Town, Sohan etc and the several housing societies operate in this zone.

According to the zoning regulations of 1992, Islamabad was divided into five zones and changes were made to the regulations of Zone IV in 2010-11.

The incumbent CDA management in March this year imposed a complete ban on illegal construction in Islamabad and wrote to utility service providers not to issue new connections without a no-objection certificate from the CDA.

However, thousands of houses have already been constructed in this zone where the CDA has not yet acquired land from locals.

“We are working on giving some relaxation to locals who have inherited land in Islamabad’s villages and we are also working on lifting the ban on getting utility connections for villagers but there will be no relaxation for commercial property and for housing schemes,” said mayor and CDA Chief Sheikh Anser Aziz.

He said CDA’s management wanted to implement CDA rules but at the same time, concerns of locals of Zone III and IV will also be addressed.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2017