Islamabad: In a recent meeting held between the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration and the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the matter of demarcating the capital’s boundaries was brought up, reported a news source. However, no consensus could be reached as the CDA Master Plan Director preferred demarcating as per the 1963 survey while the Regional Planning Director considers preferred the ICT limits notified under 1979, 1980 and 1981 in the Local Government Acts.
According to CDA Member Planning and Design Asad Mehboob Kiyani, if the boundaries are considered as per the survey conducted back in 1963, the ICT can end up losing several revenue estates. Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has directed the ICT and CDA to prepare for on-ground demarcation of boundaries and submit a detailed map of the capital’s boundaries to the court.
Prior to this, the Supreme Court had also directed the ICT and CDA administration to come up with plausible demarcations. However, the CDA has concerns that if the provisions under the 1963 survey are followed, then the capital’s boundaries can shrink to about 37 km2, which can incentivise the construction of illegal housing schemes. According to CDA Land and Revenue Department officials, this can cause municipal, administrative and territorial problems.
