ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has ordered an investigation and action against officers involved in allotment of sites for restaurants in Margalla Hills in the past.

CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed, who ordered the probe, told Dawn, that action will be taken against those who had allowed construction in the past.

Asked about a recent development in which CDA reportedly showed its intention to set up new hotels and restaurants in the hills, he said there was no such plan.

“Actually, the confusion [CDA’s plan of setting up hotels to make Pirsohawa a new tourist resort] was caused by a CDA press release which now stands clarified,” he said and added that the CDA had no such plan as Margallas are protected hills.

The CDA chairman clarified that action will be taken against those who allowed construction in the hills in the past.

“I have already ordered a probe,” he said, adding the civic agency had restored parks and green areas surrounding Margalla Hills and approved setting up of the first ever forestry park in Malpur.

Chairman says probe ordered against officers involved in allotment of sites

Last month’s CDA’s Development Working Party (CDA-DWP) approved PC-1 worth Rs113 million for setting up the first ever forest park on 350 acres.

He said the civic agency had also taken action against Monal and Lamontana restaurants for various violations.

The recent controversy emerged after a visit of the CDA chairman and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari to Daman-i-Koh.

Following their visit, a press release was issued by the CDA, stating that the CDA was going to set up a new tourist spot in Pir Sohawa.

Meanwhile, former bureaucrat Roedad Khan, who has always been in the forefront to raise voice in support of protecting Margalla Hills, told Dawn that he was upset after reading the news about CDA’s plan for construction of new hotels in the hills.

He said he had already through a letter requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to look into the matter.

In his letter, he said preservation and protection of the national park was the legal responsibility of the CDA chairman.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2020