Housing scheme clarifies report; The News stands by its story

[Salman]

Islamabad

The management of Margala View Housing Scheme (MVHS) would like to clarify a news report ‘Land mafias violating CDA rules with impunity’ published in ‘The News’ on September 10, 2013.

No land has been grabbed by it as the entire area is in lawful ownership/possession of MVHS. The story seems to be based on wrong information. Some persons had filed a complaint / petition in the Supreme Court in September 2011. The apex court on the basis of information provided by CDA has disposed off the Application (HRC No. 32129 - G/2011), as the allegations were found baseless.

The complainant has submitted this application in CDA as well to defame and blackmail TCHL and we reserve the right to take him in the court of Law. Recently the said persons filed another writ petition in the Islamabad High Court regarding shifting of main mosque of the scheme. In this case it is clarified that the land of mosque is not being used for commercial building. The factual position that only location has been changed according to the Revised Layout Plan. This change of location has been endorsed by the Margallians Welfare Association (MWA), formed by the residents of the society.

It is also clarified that the scheme has not violated the CDA law as land earmarked for roads, open spaces, public buildings is in accordance with the modalities or procedures of ICT Zoning Regulations of 1992. The plan originally approved was tentative and revised once the requirements of members/allottees were finalized and keeping site conditions/technical parameters. Whereas according to “Planning Standard” prescribed in CDA’s “Modalities & Procedures” framed under ICT (Zoning) Regulation, 1992, the land use of the scheme can be changed within the framework of “Planning Standards”. In this regard the scheme has already submitted a revised layout plan with CDA for last four years but the authority is not according its approval to the new plan.

It is normal to change the location and size of amenities plots, parks, etc to meet the needs of a scheme within the parameters/standards e.g. Health Centre is shifted from residential block to main civic centre - an expensive and prestigious location; location of Jamia Mosque is exchanged with water works due to the fact that water was found at a place where mosque was previously proposed.

The residents have formed Margallians Welfare Association to look after the well being of the residents of the Scheme. The Association has endorsed the above said changes or adjustments. About 400 families are living in MVHS.

Waseem Abbasi adds: ‘The News’ stand by its story that rules of CDA are being violated by the housing scheme. It is true that change in layout plan is currently not illegal under CDA law but the advance approval of the authority is mandatory for any Housing Scheme to make any changes in approved layout plan. In the above mentioned case, MVHS failed to secure CDA’s approval for its revised layout plan yet it continued with the changes in violation of law. The story of The News was based on independent research, interviews of residents and confirmation from CDA’s relevant official. CDA’s Director (Housing Societies), Ayub Tariq, was quoted as saying that the Housing Scheme indeed violated CDA’s law and action would be taken against it under CDA Ordinance. Even the Islamabad High Court has issued contempt notice to MVHS for violating the stay-orders of the court.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-...-its-story