70 houses sealed in capital over commercial use

Islamabad

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has so far sealed around 70 houses which were under commercial use in different sectors of Islamabad, says the spokesman for the civic body on Thursday.

The CDA official said the Enforcement Wing  and the Building Control Section have been taking action against non-conforming use of residential buildings across the federal capital after the Supreme Court's directives. "As a result of crackdown, the owners of various buildings have forced their tenants to shift their businesses to commercial areas," he said.

The official said that on Thursday, the CDA raiding team reached Sector F-8/1 to seal a house where a Chinese restaurant was running. However, the team returned after knowing that the business was shifted to the commercial area.

Despite claims of the CDA of taking action against non-conforming use, a large number of houses in posh sectors are still being used as restaurants, showrooms and for other commercial purposes.

Meanwhile, the teams of the Enforcement Directorate took prompt action against illegal structures and encroachments in Mouza Sorain of Sector I-12 and demolished eight cattle pens. During the grand operation in Markaz G-9, anti-encroachment teams conducted the operation against stalls and confiscated 12 truckloads of different goods from the area.