ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) sprang into action and sealed a large number of high profile premises in an upscale sector of the federal capital on the charge of non-conforming use. The civic body acted on the force of a direction of the Supreme Court, which had strictly ordered it to do away with the non-conforming use of the residential areas. The 23 premises sealed in F-7 sector by the CDA team with the help of approximately 100 officials and staff have outlets of different trendy enterprises. They were mostly visited by affluent people and their owners are known for high connections in the quarters that matter. They included Junaid Jamshed, Tuscany Restaurant, Depilex Parlour, Royili Boutique/Parlour, Kundan Boutique, Samsung Showroom, Angeethi Restaurant, Yasraj Boutique, Fitness Club, Bestro Restaurant and Guest House, Sobia’s Boutique, Tutti Frutti, Endecor Boutique, Seazer Saloon and Fabrics, Zefra Restaurant, Kitchen Cuisine Restaurant, Anam Store, Furniture Showroom, Oisis Club, Beauty Hut, Entrouge Restaurant, Tiffany Restaurant, and Jugnoo’s Saloon. In the wake of the apex court order, the CDA has been giving warnings to the owners of the premises to discontinue the non-conforming use of their properties, but they paid no heed to it. Finally, the CDA moved and sealed them as allowed under the law. An official told The News that the CDA had been facing pressure from the powerful owners of the premises as well as the outlets, but added that it had to act as ordered by the apex court. Even otherwise, this was an illegal use of the properties. He said that the drive would continue till the elimination of the illegality all over Islamabad. He said that no discrimination was observed in taking action against the violators of the law and the drive was across the board. Some time back, the apex court directed the CDA to proceed in accordance with the rules and laws with regard to properties being used for purposes other than those for which they were allotted, and submit a report to it. A two-member bench comprising Justice Ameer Hani Muslim and Justice Dost Muhammad Khan while hearing a case regarding blockades and encroachments erected in the name of security in residential areas of the capital had issued this direction. It had ordered the Islamabad Commissioner and CDA to expeditiously decide the cases pending in the court regarding properties used for non-conforming purposes. CDA lawyer Hafiz S A Rehman stated that in pursuance of the Supreme Court order dated August 21, 2015 wherein it directed that all the parties shall meet and discuss possible zoning and town planning options, a meeting with the counsel for the petitioner was convened with the CDA chairman and its legal adviser. Similarly, he informed the court that another meeting was also held with the representatives of the private and public sectors that elaborately discussed the issue of non-conforming use in the residential areas. The lawyer said that the CDA Board in its meeting on September 11, 2015 held detailed discussion on the issue of non-conforming use on the proposal submitted by the counsel for petitioners, reservations of Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry conveyed through a letter and recommendations made by the town planners of the CDA for resolving non-conforming use in residential areas. He submitted that after deliberating on the issue, the board decided that no exemption will be allowed to the Building Regulations 2005 and no discrimination will be given to any category. It was pointed out that the board decided that uniform time period would be given to these non-conforming establishments to wind up their businesses and bring the premises into conforming use as per the provision of the scheme plan and the allotment letter.
