ISLAMABAD: In a major development, the federal cabinet approved changes to the master plan of Islamabad to resolve a boundary overlapping issue between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It also placed a portion of the capital city in the administrative jurisdiction of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB).

Besides other decisions, a green area has been converted into residential sectors. In four sectors of H-13, H-14, H-15 and H-17, southern half was reserved for institutions while the northern one was set aside for green area and buffer zones. But the cabinet through its decision converted the green area, buffer zone and institutions land into residential sectors.

The cabinet also decided that the above mentioned un-acquired H series sectors are no longer part of CDA’s Zone I. These four sectors are now exempted from land acquisition. Therefore, the CDA will not acquire them and they would be regulated through special regulations.

Sources in the interior ministry and CDA said the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a few days ago through a circulation approved the boundary overlapping summary.

l Area in H-14 EME College and CMT Golra now falls in administrative jurisdiction of RCB l H-13, H-14, H-15 and H-17 exempted from land acquisition by CDA

The cabinet decision says the area of Islamabad in H-14 EME College and CMT Golra now falls in the municipal jurisdiction of RCB. “Inclusion of Sector H-14 (comprising of EME College CMT Golra and other military installations, in the municipal jurisdiction of Rawalpindi,” read a para of the summary of the interior ministry which was approved by the cabinet.

The federal cabinet also reduced the right of way of Srinagar Highway in various areas. The summary stated that according to current provision, 1200 feet wide right of way of Srinagar Highway in north of H-13 has been reduced by 400 feet in the un-acquired right of way on north ofH-13, making it 800 feet from the southern plot line of G-13 Mauve Area.

The document said the right of way of 13th Avenue between H-12 and H-13 is 600 feet wide, which has now been reduced by 300 feet inthe un-acquired right of way between H-12 and H-13. Similarly, the current right of way of 14th Avenue between H-13 and H-14 is 600 feet wide. After approval of the summary, this 600 feet right of way has been deleted. Moreover, 600 feet right of way of proposed 15th Avenue between H-14 and H-15 has also been deleted.

The cabinet decision stated that existing acquired width of Srinagar Highway will be its right of way between H-14 and G-14.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also decided that there would be no claim of RCB in I-12, G-13, G-14 and H-13 (except the area mentioned above).

Exclusion of four sectors from CDA’s Zone I

The document said as per CDA’s zoning regulations, in the development of land in un-acquired sectoral areas, the land is to be acquired and developed by the CDA. However, the document said as the CDA has been unable to acquire land in the H-series, sectors from H-13 to 15 and H-17 may be exempted from the provision of Zone I for which separate regulations would be framed by CDA.

“The area in the west of Railway Line will be regulated by RCB adjacent to the CMT Golra. The area in the east of the Railway Line will be regulated by CDA as per ICT building control regulations subject to payment of requisite fee and charges,” read the documents.

It added: “Buildings constructed in H-13 including in the 300 feet un-acquired right of way in the North may be regularised under the provisions of ICT Building Control Regulations subject to payment of requisite fee and charges,” said the document.

The cabinet also converted an area of northern half (about 2,700 feet) along Srinagar Highway which was originally earmarked as green area/buffer zone and southern half as special buildings and institutions, into residential sector.

There was a dispute between CDA and RCB over boundary issues and the matter was taken up in various courts while a series of meetings were held between the two organisations. Later, a joint committee was formed which finalised the proposal last year.

Subsequently, the CDA board in October last year approved the recommendations of the joint committee and the matter was referred to the federal cabinet.

Interestingly, all these changes, including the major changes to the master plan of Islamabad, were made without any input from the master plan commission, which after expiry of the tenure of its members in 2021 has remained inactive.

Recently, the law minister had assured parliament that a summary related to the formation of a new commission would soon be placed before the cabinet for approval.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2024