Islamabad: CDA detects 839 houses being used for commercial purposes

[Naveed Yaseen]

A detailed survey of federal capital residential areas, conducted by Capital Development Authority, has detected 839 houses being used for commercial purposes in complete violation of CDA by-laws of 1993.

Following the direction of Chairman CDA Imtiaz Inayat Ellahi, the Authority has so far managed the vacation of 107 non-conforming houses being used for commercial purposes, said CDA Spokesman Syed Mustafain Kazmi.

An amount of Rs500,000 each as fine was also imposed on 87 infringers besides cancelling the allotments of other 11 violators, whereas the cases for allotment cancellation of 84 plots are under process as per the laid procedure.

In the wake of the growing tendency amongst citizens regarding the use of residential houses for commercial purposes, CDA initiated action against such violators to discourage the non-confirming use of residential buildings. During the campaign, many occupants who were planning to start commercial activity at residential premises decided not to violate the rules. On the other hand, a segment of violators are in the habit of going into litigation against CDA whenever any notice and action is initiated against them.

The spokesman said CDA served notices to all 87 guesthouses operating in the federal capital. However, these guesthouses managed to get stay orders from the courts of law on one or the other pretext. CDA, however, got vacated seven stay orders, and accordingly stopped the commercial use of these houses.

The spokesman reiterated that CDA is fully committed to take action against the violators to stop the non-confirming use of residential buildings. The civic body is concentrating on a comprehensive strategy to check the misuse of residential buildings in different sectors of the capital.

As per policy, the owners of residential buildings being used for commercial purposes are served with notices to stop this unauthorised practice. In case of non-compliance, the cases of the infringers would be referred to the CDA deputy commissioner for further necessary action.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=209004
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ISLAMABAD: A detailed survey conducted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) showed around 839 houses were being used for commercial purposes in the capital thus violating the Authority’s 1993 by-laws, said CDA Spokesman Syed Mustafain Kazmi on Monday.

He said following the directives of the CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, the Authority had so far managed to vacate 107 such houses. Fines of Rs 500, 000 each were also imposed on the violators besides cancellation of allotments of plots of other 11 others, he told APP.

“Cases of the cancellation of allotments of 84 other plots are under scrutiny according to the procedure,” he said.

“ In order to discourage the citizens from using residences for commercial purposes, the CDA has initiated action against the violators,” he added. He said many occupants who were about to start commercial activity in houses decided not to do so once the CDA intervened.

“On the other hand, some people are in the habit of starting litigation whenever any notice is served on them,” Kazmi said.

The spokesman informed that some citizens using residences as guesthouses managed to get stay orders from the courts.

He said the civic body was focusing on a comprehensive strategy to check the misuse of the residential buildings.

He said firstly these non-conformists are served notices. “In case of non-compliance, their cases are referred to the deputy commissioner, CDA for further action. app

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg11_8