CDA seals four agro farms in Orchard Scheme

[Salman]

Islamabad :The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Tuesday sealed four agro farms in Orchard Scheme along Murree Road for violation of the CDA byelaws and non-confirming use.

The operation, conducted on directives of CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz, was supervised by Member Planning and Design Syed Mustafain Kazmi. CDA Magistrate Changez Khan and officials and personnel of the Enforcement and Building Control directorates participated in the operation.

Syed Mustafain Kazmi told ‘The News’ that the CDA had issued notices to all allottees and owners of the poultry and vegetable farms (Agro Farming Scheme) who had expanded covered areas beyond the allowed limits. In addition to this, some agro farms were under non-confirming use and holding different activities in violation of the CDA byelaws.

The CDA official said that in all around 1,350 notices have been served for non-conforming (mostly commercial use) of residential buildings, agro farms and other properties.

The agro farms sealed on Tuesday were being used for marriage ceremonies and musical nights in violation of the CDA rules and were also creating problems and nuisance for neighbours.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan had taken notice of these violations and directed the CDA to act against the violators. Ihe civic body had issued notices to owners of these plots to ensure that the use of the plots should be strictly inline with the terms of allotment letters. They were also asked to bring back the covered area within approved limits by demolishing the excess area and to ensure the supply of vegetables and poultry to the local markets as per regulations of the CDA.

The CDA has warned the allottees of the agro farms that in case of non-compliance, all such violations would be proceeded under the prevailing rules and regulations. Some violators approached courts to get restraining orders. The CDA pursued cases and managed to get status quo orders of the court vacated and subsequently took action against violators and sealed four agro farms, including 42, 43, 44 and 44-A, for non-confirming use and violations.

The CDA chairman has reiterated that civic body would continue action against the non-confirming use in agro farm schemes and residential areas of the city to ensure compliance of the CDA byelaws.