ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: The Capital Development Authority (CDA), has asked foreign and local oil and gas exploration companies, to shift their offices from residential areas to commercial areas in the federal capital.

The vacation notices have been served on those companies, that have offices in the posh sectors of Islamabad, where their personnel also reside in.

The CDA said it was in violation of zoning regulations and also not permitted under CDA rules to carry out commercial activities in residential areas.

However the oil and gas exploration companies have reportedly taken the position that it was not possible for them to move to commercial areas due to security concerns of their staff.

These companies have taken up the matter with the CDA through their organization — Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association (PPEPCA).

In a letter to the CDA chairman, PPEPCA president Arif Kemal said that the oil and gas sector was one of the government’s four chosen priority areas for economic revival of the country.

It was stated that due to the shortage of technical staff, a large number of expatriates had been employed by these companies for carrying out their activities.

The PPEPCA chairman stated that all investors, specially foreigners, were prepared to take economic risks but were definitely not prepared to risk their lives.

In the present circumstances it was vital to restore confidence of the expatriates that their safety and security was of great importance. Any undermining of investors confidence, because of security reasons, will have adverse effects on the development of oil and gas sector.

He said Islamabad had no safe commercial accommodation and secure parking facilities, and it was not possible to ensure adequate personal safety and security of the expat employees due to public access to the commercial buildings and parking areas.

The oil and gas companies, that have established offices in residential areas with attached residential facilities should not be considered as a violation of zoning regulations.

He stated security consideration should be taken seriously into any decision requiring them to vacate those premises. He demanded that oil and gas companies with rest house cum office should be considered in compliance with CDA zoning regulations.