ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is once again mulling changes to the bylaws for the historic and controversial G-6 Covered Market, which was demolished around two decades back.

The CDA’s acting director general building and housing control has decided to hold a public hearing on June 15 at 2pm in his office for “objections/comments with regard to the revision of the building bylaws and planning parameters for construction on the plot allotted for Covered Market G-6-3/4,” read a letter issued by the building control directorate on Tuesday.

The letter was addressed to 17 citizens, who have been asked to attend the hearing. The CDA wants to allow a multi-storey building on a plot originally earmarked for a single-storey, inward-oriented historical Siraj Covered Market in G-6. However, the civic agency wants to hear the citizens before moving forward.

The market was designed by a British architect and the CDA got it constructed as a signature single-storey inward market before leasing it to one Mr Siraj in 1966.

Director general building, housing control decides to hold public hearing on June 15

However, in a highly dubious and controversial move, CDA in 2007 made a post-lease change to its building and allowed the construction of a multi-storey market.

The leaseholder without wasting time, demolished the historical single-storey market, wiping out the traces of one of the prominent landmarks of the federal capital.

The CDA had allowed the leaseholder 100pc ground coverage with the floor area ratio of 1:4 and ground-plus three storeys and two basements for parking. However, residents of the area opposed the CDA move and took the matter to Supreme Court. That move compelled the CDA to backtrack as court restrained the civic agency from making changes to the bylaws. Since then the plot has been lying vacant, depriving the citizens of market facility for daily routine items.

Interestingly, the market was located along the single narrow service road namely Begum Sarfraz Iqbal Road, which leads toward the Prime Minister Secretariat from Melody side.

“It was a single-storey building leased by CDA. Ideally, the same market under the original design prepared by a British architect should be restored, as it was a cultural heritage of the city. Allowing new bylaws will be sort of post-lease changes. Anyhow, if CDA is adamant in seeing a multi-storey shopping mall along the single Begum Sarfraz Road, which is already facing traffic congestion, the road should be dualised first,” said an official.

Sources said that last year the civic agency had sought public opinion on the proposal of changing the bylaws and it seems those who submitted their opinions last year are now being asked to attend the public hearing.

Last year, before seeking public opinion, the matter was placed before the CDA board and the planning wing in its summary surprisingly did not inform the board that the market was constructed by CDA itself before leasing it out. The planning wing proposed new bylaws, seeking the board’s approval for construction of a 7-8-storey structure with 50pc ground coverage, FAR 1:4, and a basement for parking only.

However, sources said the board had directed that building bylaws can’t be finalised without public consultation and objections should be invited and “after the conclusion of public hearing and legal review, the matter shall be resubmitted before the CDA board for a final decision.”

In his summary, the then member planning had informed the board that a “plot measuring 8670 square-yard located in G-6/3” was leased to Ch. Sirajuddin and others in the year 1966. The lease was for 30 years, which expired in 1996 and was extended for a second term till October 2026.

“Initially, the building bylaws for the subject plot allowed a single storey inward oriented building and building was constructed accordingly till its demolition in year 2007-8.”

The member planning told the board that the building bylaws were later changed by the CDA, but “residents of neighbouring houses approached the Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court against the changes in building bylaws and the CDA was restrained from making any change to the bylaws,” he added.

When contacted, CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani confirmed that a public hearing is scheduled to address the proposed amendments to the bylaws governing the covered market on June 15. “The CDA will hold a public hearing. The designated forum will hear the apprehensions of nearby residents. Following that, a reasoned speaking order shall be passed,” he stated.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026