Islamabad - The Supreme Court has summoned the chiefs of Islamabad and motorway police for not shifting their offices from residential areas of the capital.
A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Iqbal Hameed ur Rehman, yesterday took up the matter related to nonconforming use of residential houses.
Shahid Hamid, counsel for CDA, submitting a report told the bench that inspectors general of Islamabad and motorway police have sought one year time for vacating their offices.
In response to a letter written by CDA chairman, the IGP Islamabad stated that the police be given at least one year time until the completion of the new building in sector G-11/4 to shift the office currently housed in sector F-7/1.
The CDA submitted the report in compliance with the Supreme Court’s orders regarding the illegal use of houses for commercial purposes. According to the report, CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal had asked the inspectors general of the police and motorway to shift their offices from residential units.
The CDA also submitted that its operation against the nonconforming use of residential units is ongoing. Till date, the authority claims to have sealed 123 premises.
In the matter of private schools set up in residential houses, a status quo has been granted by the Islamabad High Court. The CDA said it had already submitted an application to get the stay order vacated, and that another application had been submitted for the early hearing of the case.
Regarding the shifting of foreign embassies located in residential areas, as well as barricades erected by these missions in front of houses, the matter has been taken up with the ministry of foreign affairs, the report added.
During the hearing, the counsel requested the bench to give more time for the compliance of its order about the nonconforming use of residential houses. Upon this, the bench asked the CDA to submit compliance report within 15 days.
The civic body informed the court that all property owners violating the CDA bylaws had been issued notices and follow-up action was under way. It, however, sought more time for compliance of the court orders to remove commercial activities from residential houses.
It is pertinent to mention here that in compliance with the apex court’s orders, the CDA has been carrying out operations against the nonconforming use of residential buildings.
In its report the civic body appraised the court that offices and beauty parlours in 123 residential areas have been sealed while some 225 owners of business outlets have voluntarily abandoned their business activities. The report stated that the Foreign Office has been informed about the blockade made by the offices of foreign missions for security purpose in residential areas of the capital.