Islamabad - The Capital Development Authority yesterday found that Islamabad Club has encroached upon kanals of the state land, said the sources in the CDA. The CDA officials supported by CDA revenue staff and the town planners, and administration of Islamabad Club jointly completed the demarcation process of the club to determine actual plot lines. The sources said that the CDA team found the Club having encroached upon an area of 90-95 feet in front of the actual plot line. The action was taken after the reports that the club has been using state land for commercial purposes without entering into any agreement with the authority. The enforcement directorate took the action in exercise of its mandate conferred vide CDA Ordinance 1960 and CDA Conduct of Business Regulations 1985 to get the actually allotted plot line demarcated afresh.

“A wide area of CDA land (around 90 to 95 feet) was found under the use of Islamabad Club including Golf Court Complex. The boundary line (of the Club) shall be demolished and reconstructed within actual plot line which is 90 to 95 feet inside the Club premises,” said a senior CDA official on condition of anonymity. The CDA action was aimed at retrieving its illegally occupied land and adjacent green belt being used for promoting commercial activities. A notice was sent to the club administration for demarcation of the Islamabad Club premises to review actual plot lines and encroachments on the green belt.

The chief commissioner office, IG police, AIG Special Branch and SSP police were also informed about the demarcation plan so that they could facilitate the CDA officials in this regard. According to the CDA officials, the Club was reportedly occupying the CDA land/green belt without any rights and ownership, constructing thereby various setups and sports facility including the Golf Club etc. The other facilities at the Club Road have also been given notices to vacate green belt. Sources in the CDA said that ‘final notice’ has been pasted on the entrance of all the main hotels and other buildings occupying CDA land and green belt illegally. The final notice for vacation of green belt reads: “CDA enforcement directorate is hereby noticing you to vacate the green belt occupied for commercial/parking/ private purposes within 24 hours, failing which a forceful operation shall be conducted on the risk and cost of the owner on the expiry of instant notice.” An official at the CDA told The Nation that the authority would take every possible measure to retrieve state land from the land-grabbers.