islamabad - The Capital Development Authority is all set to seal the offices of several International NGOs and government agencies that have been set up in residential neighbourhoods of the capital in violation of building laws, according to official sources.
The offices of around 10 INGOs and a number of government agencies are part of a list prepared by the building control section of the Capital Development Authority due to their illegal use of houses in residential areas for businesses.
In line with the orders of the Supreme Court, the enforcement directorate of the civic agency is geared for action but awaits provision of security to its personnel by the interior ministry. Officials say the time frame of the action depends on how soon they are provided security by the law enforcing authorities.
CDA had identified over 2,200 premises in non-conforming use in Islamabad against which action has been planned in different phases.
According to official sources, the offices on the hit list of the CDA include a number of INGOs, most notably ‘Save the Children’ (plot 3, street 25, sector F-7/2); plot 78, F-6/2; plot 4, street 36, sector F-6/1 (Jinnah NGO office); plot 57, street 36, sector F-6/1 (NGO Maltseher); plot 11, street 38, sector F-6/1; plot 23, street 19, sector F-6/2 (IRD NGO office); plot 19, street 19, sector F-6/2 (Furdie Freiher NGO office); plot 24, street 18, sector F-6/2 (NGO Coffee International); plot 15, street 56, sector F-6/4 (NGO office).
Offices of IG Motorway police in sector F-8/3, Anti-Narcotics Force also in sector F-8/3, IG police Islamabad in sector F-7/1, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in sector F-10/4 (plot 54, street 62), another FIA office in sector F-10/4 (plot 16, Nazim-ud-Din Road) and NADRA in sector F-6/3 are also on the list.
According to the sources in the CDA, no stay order is available in record pertaining to these premises and the authority had also issued 15-day notices to them before going for the sealing phase.
“All codal formalities have been completed and the cases have been recommended for sealing due to their non-conforming use”, the sources added.
Director Building Control, CDA, being the competent authority in light of clause 2.17.5 of Islamabad Residential Sector Zoning Building Control Regulations, 2005 as amended by the CDA Board in its meeting held on October 2, 2015, has accorded approval for sealing of these premises being used for commercial activities, the sources added.
There are total 130 premises in the non-conforming use in the sectors of F-series, particularly F-6 and are required to be sealed under the law. These premises are being used by different organizations as INGOs, guest houses, showrooms, private offices and government offices.
CDA has found 28 cases of non-conforming use In G-series sectors but there is no NGO office in these sectors. However, different commercial activities as showrooms, restaurants, offices, guest houses are continuing from the houses.
A total 62 non-conforming use cases have been identified by the CDA for sealing in sector I-8 and I-9. The NGOs in these sectors include House no 475-C, street 58-A, sector I-8/3 (NGO commercial office) and House no 718, street 82, sector I-8/4 (NGO office). There are 31 cases of non-conforming use in Sector I-10 but no NGO is included in the list. In majority of the cases, the activities as transport offices, hostels and guest houses are continuing from the houses. Similarly, 14 cases of non-conforming use were found in Humak are of the capital but no NGO is operating from the sector.
The CDA had asked the ICT administration and police chief to make security arrangements for the crackdown, which the CDA has finalised on these public and private entrepreneurs operating from different residential areas of the capital city. The action has been finalized in line with the Supreme Court’s directions dated 15 September, 2015.
“The authority has phased out a sealing operation and before entering into the instant phase (sealing of premises being used for public and private entrepreneurs, city-wide), we seek your special concern for security management and arrangements as many foreigners and government agencies are part of the list prepared by the CDA,” a letter written, earlier this week, by CDA to the district administration and local police chief, stated. “And their safety and security is the foremost priority.”