ISLAMABAD: The Survey of Pakistan on Monday informed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) that it can complete the demarcation of Islamabad’s boundaries within three months.

Through a letter, the Survey of Pakistan asked the civic agency to submit the estimated Rs6 million for the start of the process to demarcate the boundaries. Once started, the process would be completed within three months.

“We are going to pay the Survey of Pakistan so that it can start the demarcation of the boundaries as soon as possible,” Mayor of Islamabad and acting CDA Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz told Dawn.

He said after demarcation the CDA would erect cemented pillars on the outer boundaries to protect the state land in the capital from occupation.

Mr Aziz said in the past, land mafia allegedly in connivance with CDA officials, removed a large number of pillars to create confusion about the boundaries. “My team has already been conducting operations to retrieve the state land and the survey is a part of our efforts,” he said.

The boundary pillars were removed in various zones, particularly Margalla Hills National Park, Zone III and Zone IV, but the civic agency never paid any attention towards the issue.

“Because of the Supreme Court directions, finally our bosses have realised that there is a need for the erection of boundary pillars to check encroachment on the state land,” said an official of the planning wing, who requested not to be named.

“Currently, there are two cases filed in the Supreme Court by the CDA related to the state land and in both the cases the apex court has ordered the demarcation of the capital’s boundaries,” said Member Planning Asad Mehboob Kayani.

He said the Survey of Pakistan had sought Rs6 million and three months’ time for the boundary demarcation. Separately, the demarcation of Zone III and Margalla Hills National Park is underway and its report would be finalised in a few days.

The Supreme Court while hearing a suo motu case had recently censured the CDA for its failure in stopping illegal constructions in Zone III/Margalla Hills National Park. Following this, the CDA suspended Director General Environment Dr Suleman Sheikh, Director Mohammad Irshad and a deputy director. Two separate inquiries are also underway to determine the failure of the CDA in stopping the illegal construction activities in Zone III.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2017