CDA fails to control illegal constructions in Bahria Town

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has failed to control the ongoing illegal construction at various housing societies in the federal capital, placing thousands of allotments at stake.

According to well-informed sources, long-time director of  CDA Planning Department, Faraz Malik and Deputy Director of Bahria Town, has allegedly received millions of rupees in hefty commissions for the preparation of revised Let Out Property (LOP) maps.

These officials are only working on housing societies where their vested interests are being while the LOPs of other societies have been kept on hold without any reason whatsoever, and on the other hand these housing societies are not receiving official documents due to red-tapism and legal procedures.

The CDA had issued the No Objection Certificate (NOC) of the Park View Society, but later it tried to cancel the NOC granted to the society. A case has also been registered in the Islamabad High Court in this regard.

The Bahria Enclosure housing society was allowed construction on government lands by the CDA, while the regulatory body created even more controversy on the construction at Park View Society. A grand operation was launched recently against the illegal projects in the housing society. Several high-rise buildings were sealed making these projects even more controversial.

The CDA has remained silent on the widespread irregularities in the commercialisation and high-rise constructions in Bahria Town.  This has also raised question whether the construction of these buildings is in accordance with the law. The regulatory authority has failed to keep a check on these illegal activities. 

The dual standards of CDA departments have created a new challenge for residents in the federal capital and businessmen. The conflict of interest has not only placed the future of housing societies in Islamabad at stake but the institution’s reputation is being diminished in the eyes of the public.