Islamabad - The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to relocate CDA’s CBA union office, canteen and parking area to create space for the construction of a mosque for the employees of intelligence agency.
The meeting of CDA’s Board of Directors held on 10 October 2017 approved the summary regarding permission to ISI for construction of a mosque on an area of 4.86 kanals in the CDA’s main secretariat. The construction of the mosque on CDA secretariat is due to unavailability of land in the premises ISI headquarters.
According to the minutes of the meeting, CDA would not make allotment of land to ISI and the proposed mosque site shall remain property of the CDA while its construction cost shall be borne by ISI. The design of the mosque will be prepared by ISI and then approved by CDA. The mosque would be used jointly by the employees of both ISI and CDA. Directorate of architecture CDA would prepare the relocation plan for CBA Union office, canteen etc. in consultation with the Planning Wing and the CBA Union. The cost of the removal of existing buildings and shifting of services will also be borne by ISI as calculated by DG Works, CDA in consultation with Finance Wing, CDA.
Background: Originally, a plot measuring 10,789.33 Sq Yards (2.23 acres) was earmarked for ISI in Mauve Area, G-7/4, adjacent to CDA Headquarters. CDA on the request of directorate general ISI and on the recommendations of the then chief executive of Pakistan, thrice allotted additional area out of CDA’s main office complex, making the total area as 9.84 acres. Every additional piece of land then housed constructed building blocks of CDA’s main office. The buildings include CE lab, cement stores, offices blocks, parking sheds, and canteen. The requested piece of land includes area of the mosque, CDA CBA union office, canteen, toilet block and parking area in the southern-eastern corner of CDA’s secretariat.
According to the minutes, Director Urban Planning briefed the board that directorate general ISI Islamabad had requested the CDA Chairman in June 2017 for provision of land to construct a mosque. The area was marked and principally agreed upon. The case was put before the board and after due deliberations it approved the summary.
In a second decision, the CDA Board has approved the request for allotment of a plot to Intelligence Bureau (IB) Islamabad measuring 32 kanals adjacent to K Block in Pak Secretariat.
According to the IB, the strength of the Bureau has now reached over 9000 which is causing congestion and overcrowding in the existing building. Besides, the expansion of operational and technical paraphernalia together with VVIP security engagements also requires creation of new offices with specific specialized civil structures. The approval is subject to all codal formalities including the approval of the Prime Minister.