ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday empowered the civic agency to enforce its bylaws in E-11 to regulate unplanned construction.

The CDA in a summary seeking the cabinet’s approval for enforcing its bylaws in E-11 had also requested the federal cabinet for the revocation of a 1968 decision made by the then president Ayub Khan who had exempted the revenue estate of Golra from land acquisition.

The civic agency’s summary stated: “It has been observed that the exemption of Sector E-11 from acquisition created multifarious urban problems like urban flooding, zigzag streets, non-collection of solid waste, disposal of untreated liquid waste, dumping of debris and garbage into natural streams, environmental pollution, traffic hazards, etc. due to which the sector has emerged as a big slum amidst planned residential sectors.”

The summary had sought the revocation of Ayub Khan’s decision. However, sources said the cabinet approved the summary to the extent of empowering the CDA to enforce its bylaws in E-11.

“Cabinet empowered CDA to enforce its bylaws in E-11 to regulate all buildings,” said a cabinet member. He said the major issue was unregulated buildings in E-11 which has been creating civic issues and the cabinet directed the CDA to enforce its all bylaws there.

Following the recent flooding in E-11, the CDA decided to keep a regulatory check on the sector.

Though the civic agency is supposed to regulate all buildings and houses within 906 square kilometres of Islamabad, but it kept itself restricted mostly to its own sectors and left E-11 unregulated on the pretext of “exempted” status of the sector. This resulted in the mushroom growth of unauthorised buildings.

Out of five, three housing societies, including Medical Cooperative Housing Society, which saw urban flooding recently, are operating without no-objection certificates (NOCs).

The CDA in 2007-8 made bylaws for high-rise buildings in E-11, but those too were not implemented in letter and spirit. CDA officials said after receiving minutes of the cabinet meeting, they would be in a better position to explain their plan related to E-11. However, they said all regulations would be applied.

“A hydrological and infrastructure study of housing schemes in E-11 may be allowed to be carried out by the CDA and its cost will be borne by the sponsors of the schemes.”

Plots created along nullah banks by encroaching on the right of way in housing schemes will be dislocated on the risk and cost of the management of the society,” read the summary of the CDA presented before the cabinet.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2021