ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has started an investigation into unauthorised construction activities in H-13 and E-11.

In a letter, the accountability watchdog on June 6 asked CDA Chairman Usman Akhtar Bajwa for the submission of details about 109 high-rise buildings in H-13 and E-11.

It also directed the CDA to furnish details about illegal buildings at G-11 Chowk.

CDA chairman asked to submit details of 109 high-rise buildings in H-13, E-11

A source said NAB had also directed the civic agency to furnish details about occupation of state land on Kashmir Highway and the construction of an illegal double-storey petrol pump there.

The CDA building control directorate never exercised its by-laws in H-13 and E-11, giving a free hand to developers that led to the mushroom growth of unauthorised buildings.

The civic agency has for long kept itself limited to issuing ‘public notices.’

According to the master plan of Islamabad, H-13 was reserved for educational and research institutions and the CDA was supposed to acquire the land from the local people. However, the CDA neither acquired the land nor took action to stop illegal construction there.

“Now, when a large number of high-rise buildings have been constructed there, it would be difficult for us to acquire the sector as it would require billion of rupees for payment in terms of compensation to the owners,” said an official of the land directorate.

He said as per civic agency’s rules there should be 600 feet space for construction of major roads to divide the two sectors. But in the case of H-13, the locals did not spare 300 feet on their part for the construction of 13th Avenue between the two sectors.

Like H-13, unauthorised construction activities have also taken place in E-11 just because of the negligence of the CDA.

As of today, there are over 80 unauthorised buildings. For years, officials concerned kept saying that E-11 is exempted from CDA regulations. But sources said the area was exempted only from land acquisition because of Golra shrine. However, the civic agency never took any action to regulate the buildings in violation of the CDA ordinance which allowed it to regulate buildings in entire Islamabad.

Resultantly, landholders and realtors seized the opportunity to build illegal buildings.

When contacted, CDA Member Planning Asad Mehboob Kayani said both the sectors were un-acquired and acknowledged that the CDA had failed to stop unauthorised construction there. He claimed that during his tenure unauthorised construction never took place.

“I have taken several steps to stop the unauthorised construction such as linking new utility connections with CDA’s NOC and imposition of section 144 in entire Islamabad.” He said his team had already sealed over 40 unauthorised buildings in E-11.

“We have also lodged a complaint with police to take action against those who have de-sealed the buildings in E-11.”

He said currently construction was stopped in E-11 and the civic agency recently has also formulated by-laws to deal with buildings in the sector. “CDA has directed all owners to get their building plans approved otherwise we will not allow them to operate,” he said.

“As far as H-13 is concerned, we have been issuing public notices and taking action as well. We are planning to start an operation there,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2018