ISLAMABAD: While the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is busy demolishing signboards and exterior walls of high-end businesses in one sector, commercial activities in the rest of the residential areas in the federal capital continue unabated.

The civic body seems to have no concrete plan to initiate a large-scale operation against the businesses operating against its laws.

During the operation carried out on Monday, CDA took action against the non-conforming use of residential units and removed signboards and demolished illegal structures, which were against the authority’s building bylaws.

On Monday, the civic body, assisted by Islamabad police, took action against Zefra Restaurant located in House No. 8, Street 54-A; Kitchen Cuisine in House No. 81 on School Road; Enem Store at House No. 57-A on School Road; Dr Rehman’s Clinic established in House No. 33 on the same road; the office of an NGO called Aik Hunar Aik Nagar (AHAN) at House No. 29; Manaf Dental Clinic in House No. 23; Dr Upal’s Clinic in House No. 15; Qaim Kolauj Boutique operating in House No. 11; along with various other beauty salons and fashion designers’ outlets on School Road.

The civic body has been focusing on a specific area in its drive

Some outlets were targeted on Friday; but they are continuing their business as usual. The CDA staff had uprooted the pathways inside the houses, including at an outlet of Junaid Jamshed.

Surprisingly, no serious resistance was witnessed by the CDA staff from the business owners. At the same time, it is interesting to note that despite issuing periodic warning in the past, the civic body only took action against businesses in one particular sector.

CDA spokesman Asim Khichi said the civic body had started its operation from residential areas of F-7 sector, as it is considered one of the most expensive localities for businesses.

“CDA has been criticised, recently, for only taking action against the katchi abadis, so it was decided to start from a posh area, and gradually shift to businesses in residential areas of F-6 and other sectors,” Mr Khichi added.

Meanwhile, on Monday the civic body’s staff tore down sheds of 12 flower shops in F-7 sector, while extensions and illegal construction by two key food outlets were also demolished.

“The operation on Friday was more of a warning note for the businesses, so that they could understand that CDA is serious this time,” said Mohammad Iqbal, CDA’s director enforcement, adding that “today, we damaged the floors and gates, so there is no entrance left to these business outlets.”

The confidence of the civic body has mainly been boosted with the support of Islamabad High Court. Previously, the CDA had to stop as the violators had obtained stay orders, some of which have now been vacated.

A senior official of CDA’s planning wing said the authority had prepared a list of 250 houses which have been served notices.

“The law requires that there has to be a notice, followed by a show-cause notice after 15 days,” he added.

Although CDA has a record of around 2,200 houses, which are being used for commercial activities, this list of 250 houses only includes those which do not have a valid stay-order at the moment.

These residential units host various businesses, including NGOs and even government offices.

However, the civic body is initially targeting commercial ventures only, NGOs and private or government offices are not on the plate, at the moment, said the CDA official.

Meanwhile, Chairman CDA Maroof Afzal has directed the building control section and the enforcement department to continue their operation without any discrimination.

The departments are to submit a weekly update to the CDA chief.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd , 2014