ISLAMABAD: Illegal construction in Islamabad should be regularised as this will promote ease of doing business, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Capital Development Authority (CDA) affairs Ali Nawaz Awan said on Friday.

In a meeting with the senior management of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Mr Awan highlighted that the CDA management should explore all possible options within the legal framework to regularise non-conforming businesses.

He said CDA should prepare a sector-wise list and give timelines to all non-conforming businesses in liaison with the ICCI for their regularisation by fulfilling all legal requirements. Mr Awan also discussed various other key issues of the business community including pace of development in markets and industrial areas. CDA will try to complete all developments within timelines to facilitate growth of business activities and help make Islamabad beautiful.

The ICCI delegation discussed the issue of non-conforming businesses and analysed its negative impact on the growth of business activities in the federal capital. The delegation was led by Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan president of ICCI. They discussed the adverse effect of sealing businesses due to non-conforming use, especially at a time when the economy is facing challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Khan said CDA should consider other options including payment of commercial charges for all those conducting commercial activities on roofs or terraces which would also generate significant revenue for the civic body.

He said regularising these businesses was the best option to settle this long outstanding issue, which was now creating hurdles in the growth of business activities. Facilitation of all types of industries is essential for the country which will also contribute significantly towards exports and help the country move towards economic revival, he added.

Abdul Rauf Alam, convener of ICCI CDA committee, Ch Nadeem ud Din chairman task force and other members were part of the delegation.

They presented proposals to deal with the issue of non-conforming businesses in a manner that should not disturb the growth of business activities and avoid closure of any type of business which would create unemployment and also have a detrimental impact on the economy.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2021