CDA be restrained from allotting more land

[Salman]

CDA be restrained from allotting more land

LAHORE–The Supreme Court of Pakistan has been requested to restrain Capital Development Authority (CDA) from allotting more land to US Embassy for its expansion plan in Islamabad.A civil miscellaneous petition was filed in the apex court’s Lahore Registry on Thursday in already pending petition for the last three years challenging the expansion of the US Embassy.Petitioner Barrister Zafarullah stated that after the allotment of more land to the US Embassy, its total area would increase upto 56 acres which is more than White House area i.e. 51 acres.The petitioner said that Americans wanted to build a seven-floor building which could house 7,000 US personnel.He stated that the presence of such large number of Americans in Pakistan would be a security threat to Pakistan.He further said that US was not expanding its Embassy but aimed to form its base in Islamabad, which could result in increase in terror activities in the country. He alleged that the permission for expansion was given because Pakistani leaders wanted to save their properties and interests in US and Europe.He requested the apex court to restrain CDA from giving more land to US Embassy and expanding its area.