ISLAMABAD: The spouse of detained Senator Azam Khan Swati has moved Islamabad High Court (IHC) to stop the Capital Development Authority (CDA) from its imminent drive to remove alleged unauthorised construction at her agro-farm in the capital.

Tahira Swati in her petition contended that last month the CDA issued her a final notice against “unauthorised/illegal construction” at the agro-farm.

Ms Swati is the owner of plot number 71 in Orchard Scheme, Murree Road, Islamabad.

The CDA in its notice issued by its building control section said that final seven days were being given to remove violations from the farmhouse.

It recalled that a show-cause notice had been issued on November 4, calling for removal of various violations, including “unauthorised/illegal construction in the basement in right side of the setback, unauthorised and illegal construction on the ground floor in right side of setback, unauthorised construction of basement beyond the plinth level and a guard room beyond the plot line.”

Initially, Ms Swati challenged the notice before a civil judge who restrained the civic agency from taking any action, but later dismissed her application.

She contended in the petition filed with the IHC that the CDA officials had issued the notice on the instruction of someone else as his husband was a senator and a political activist.

According to the petition, the CDA initiated the action without giving her opportunity of defence.

She stated that the civic agency also ignored her demand for undertaking joint measurement to ascertain the excess area.

Ms Swati contended that the CDA violated its own rules and regulations in her case and was adamant at demolishing her property.

She requested the court to declare the CDA’s final notice illegal and restrained it from demolishing her property.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2022