ISLAMABAD: The Sanitation Directorate of Capital Development Authority (CDA) demolished an unauthorised junkyard which the civic body was itself constructing after allegdly encroaching upon land reserved for an open space in G-6.

The main building of the sanitation wing is located in G-6, and the land reserved for an open space is located adjacent to it. The sanitation directorate, through the engineering wing, started constructing walls for the junkyard a few days ago.

The CDA utilised its own funds to build three sidewalls and a gate, however, after apparently realising the blunder, it razed the structure.

When the construction was underway, Dawn approached Director General Civic Management Shahjahan Khan about its legality, to which he responded that construction was being made for a junkyard of the sanitation directorate. He said if there was a violation of the CDA laws, he would get the structure demolished.

A few days later, the structure was razed, raising questions as to why work had been started and funds spent on an unauthorised construction work. According to a resident of G-6, the CDA frequently takes action against encroachments, but its own directorate had tried to occupy an open space.

“We are thankful to those officers who realised their mistake. We are happy now,” he added.

When contacted, DG Shahjahan Khan said he had now decided to approach the planning wing for its guidance.

“If the planning wing allows, I would go ahead with the construction,” he said, confirming to Dawn that work had been stopped at the site.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2022