Islamabad: Summary on Zone-IV regularisation to be sent to PM shortly, NA told

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan on Wednesday told National Assembly that the government was going to move a summary to Prime Minister to seek his advice on regularisation of Zone-IV of the federal capital to get rid of haphazard construction activity.

Replying to a calling attention notice, Awan said the Zone-IV, a reserved park area, was spread over an area of 70,000 acres and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was able to acquire only 12,000 acres.

He said other than 12,000 acres rest of the land was in possession of individuals or housing societies and the Steering Committee on Islamabad Development, has also deliberated on the matter in consultation with the CDA chairman, ICT administration and other stakeholders and the minutes of the meeting are ready to be sent to the higher authority for final approval.

The minister told the House that the land acquisition was started in 1962 but the CDA could not acquire the whole area given the fact that Lahore High Court had given a verdict that the CDA cannot regulate the private owners.

Awan said under Master Plan of the federal capital, the area was supposed to be kept green, “so it is our vision that green houses or other environment-friendly structures should only be allowed in the area.”

He said some rules would be framed to check mushroom construction activity in the Zone-IV.

Replying to another question, the minister said at the time of contract-signing, a time-frame was given to the contractor; however, he said the action would be taken in case any contractor was found violating the agreement.

He said some contractors deliberately violated the prescribed timeframe just for sake of cost escalation.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg11_9