In light of directives from the Supreme Court, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has planned to launch a new campaign against agro-farmland owners in Chak Shahzad area. These owners have violated their lease agreement with the civic authority.
Bear in mind, a campaign was launched last month as well but CDA officials had to face resistance as many farms are owned by influential people. For instance, some big names who have farms in Chak Shahzad are former President Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, former Senate Chairman Mohammad Mian Soomro, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senator Wasim Sajjad, former senator Dr Shahzad Waseem, Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Raja Nadir Pervez and several army generals and journalists.
However, now in the new campaign, a judicial officer will accompany the CDA team, to provide legal cover to the operation. The new drive will entail removing structures that the authority may discover exceeding the prescribed limits.
Regarding the lease agreement violation, a three-judge bench heard the case. According to lease agreement, the farmlands were supposed to be utilized for farming and poultry but some owners have built lavish farmhouses and marriage halls.
Director General (CDA) assured Supreme Court that the CDA intended to re-launch the inspection of different agro farms. Though CDA has managed to recover 21.1 million rupees by imposing fines on infrastructure built in excess of the legal cover and officials have also issued notices for the cancellation of the plots in some cases.
DG Land Control informed the court that 44 houses violating the rules had already been demolished; adding that in three months the CDA would remove the remaining structures violating the rules. However, the bench was not amused by the CDA performance.
The court has ordered Chairman CDA to supervise the progress and complete the procedures within a month. The case will be taken up again on March, 7.
