CDA seals 55 residential buildings for commercial use

Islamabad
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has so far sealed 55 houses since start of operation against residential buildings a little over one month back but still the civic will have to do a lot meet deadline of three months.
The CDA’s Building Control Section (BCS) and the Enforcement Directorate had started operation against commercial use of residential buildings in the federal capital in the light of directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Apex Court directed the CDA to take action against illegal use of residential buildings across Islamabad without any discrimination.
According to CDA’s own survey, there are over 1,700 houses in Islamabad which under non conforming use for the last many years. So far 55 houses have been sealed and owners of some other buildings themselves have stopped commercial use of their premises.
The residents of the federal capital feel that the civic body should expedite operation against illegal use of houses without coming under any pressure.
There are also reports that some influential have started covering their factories; located in sector I-9 Industrial Area into school buildings to be rented out to franchises of elite institutions. This is also an example of non conforming use of buildings. “A plot in industrial can be used for business for which it was allotted,” he said.
CDA spokesman Ramzan Sajid when contacted by ‘The News’ said that some major business activity was in progress in premises of 55 buildings sealed by the authority saying that most of these premises were located in posh sectors. But still it is a fact residential buildings in such a large number have been sealed in short span of time.
He claimed that owners substantial number of houses themselves have restored original status of their property while some others have displayed information that they are shifting their business to other locations.