ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday sought a report from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) about the violation of building bylaws.

IHC Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri was hearing a petition filed by Syed Zaheer Hussain Naqvi against the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), CDA and the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) over the alleged negligence and inaction regarding a blocked storm water drainage channel (nullah) in F-6/3.

The petitioner’s counsel Barrister Afzal Hussain argued that his client’s repeated complaints to the concerned authorities had been ignored, leaving him and his family vulnerable to persistent flooding during heavy rains.

According to the petition, the nallah in front of his residence had been obstructed, leading to serious water logging issues. He alleged that his driveway gets flooded after heavy rainfall due to the narrowing or blockage of the drainage system under the culvert on Hill Road.

Despite filing multiple complaints, including an official application dated June 25, 2020, no corrective measures were taken by the authorities.

The petitioner said the blockage of the nullah increased the risk of urban flooding in the area.

He demanded that the CDA and MCI take immediate action to clear the drainage channel, particularly the illegally-covered 300-foot stretch.

In response to the court’s notice, the CDA submitted para-wise comments in which it refuted the claims about blockage, asserting that the nallah was clear and functioning properly.

However, the petitioner’s counsel countered the argument, insisting that his client continued to suffer irreparable loss as rainwater repeatedly entered his residence due to the blocked drainage system.

The reply also mentioned that “CDA found other infringements of CDA bylaws for which proper action has already been initiated.”

After hearing the arguments, the court directed the CDA’s legal representative to submit detailed particulars of individuals or entities that had violated CDA bylaws along with the actions taken against them. Additionally, the CDA director general (sanitation) was ordered to appear in person at the next hearing to provide further clarification on the matter.

The case has been scheduled for re-listing in the last week of February 2025.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2025