SC directs CDA to act against farmhouse owners

[Salman]

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to provide names of individuals who have constructed farmhouses on land allocated for agricultural purposes.

During the hearing by the 3-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the CDA informed the court that owners of 504 farmhouses, including former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, had been served notices, directing them to demolish illegal constructions within 45 days.

The bench directed CDA chairman to indiscriminately act against allotees violating the contract and using the agriculture farmland for commercial purposes.

During the hearing, Afnan Kundi, counsel for CDA, informed the court that the Authority wanted to restore the original status of 504 agro farms.

The size originally was 4850 sq ft. But in 2004 its sized was increased to 10,000 sq ft and later anther 2500 sq ft was given to the allottees.

Kundi placed on record the summary of the decisions taken by CDA.

He said notices have been issued and warned the allottees to restore the original position of the farm within 45 days.

He said the additional area was given without any rational justification, which should be declared void and reverted to its original position of 4850 sq ft.

It is worth mentioning that former prime minister Shaukat Aziz, former Chairman Senate Muhammad Mian Soomro, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senator Wasim Sajjad, former senator Dr Shahzad Waseem, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Raja Nadir Pervez and several retired army officers, journalists and lawyers had also converted their agro-farmlands into palatial abodes in the capital.

These agricultural plots were leased out to influential people and institutions in eight suburban areas of Islamabad, including Chak Shahzad, Murree Road, Kahuta Road and Tarlai Kalan.

The plots were given to grow agri-products and poultry for the local residents.

But with the passage of time, these farmlands were converted into wedding halls or offices.

Earlier, Director State Management at CDA Aslam Chaudhry said that in the early years of 70s, the plots for setting up agro farms were distributed to attract people.

Later on such plots given on the recommendations of the high ups, adding after 80s no plots were given to anyone for setting up agriculture farms.

He said there are three categories of the allottees. First one was of Islamabad affectees, second includes allottees on the recommendation of high ups and the third category is of those who purchased leased out rights. The case was adjourned for one month.