ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board on Thursday deferred a policy decision to reduce the buffer zone of H-10 allotted to the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

The CDA Board, which met with its Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed in the chair, discussed a summary submitted by the planning wing, seeking approval to reduce the buffer zone in the northern half of H-10 so that university could carry out construction in the area. Currently, construction is not allowed in the buffer zone. The CDA chairman told the board that before deciding on the summary, a meeting should be arranged with IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai.

Meanwhile, in the evening, a meeting was held between the CDA chairman and the IIUI rector.

During the meeting, the issue of moving out the Machinery Poll Organisation (MPO) directorate and an asphalt plant from the vicinity of the IIUI was discussed. It was decided that the same will be moved as per a recent decision taken at the university’s Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting.

The asphalt plant of the civic agency is set up near the university entrance, which is hazardous for students, and the IIUI has been pleading for the last many years to move it out.

IIUI told that asphalt plant located near its entrance will be relocated after identifying a suitable site within 15 days

The CDA chairman told the IIUI rector that a suitable site will be identified within 15 days and then in the first phase the asphalt plant will be relocated followed by shifting of offices.

Sources said the IIUI rector told the CDA chairman that two acres of the university was missing from the record. The sources said the IIUI officials told the CDA chairman that they came to know that the land at Lunda Mastal had been allotted to a shrine in 2006.

The CDA chief ordered formation of an inquiry committee which will look into any illegality in it and then fix responsibility.

Similarly, hostel utility issues were also discussed and it was decided that these will be solved with consultations.

The sources said the BOT of the IIUI at its meeting recently had asked the CDA to resolve issues of the university. The IIUI has been claiming that a portion of its land is under illegal occupation and the CDA should play its role to get it cleared from illegal possession.

The CDA chief assured the rector that all legitimate issues of the university would be resolved on a priority basis.

Earlier, the CDA Board also took up various agenda items that included realignment of a portion of Kashmir Highway. The board decided to form a committee which will look into the cases of restoration of plots before presenting them to the board.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2020