Islamabad: A Senate committee questioned Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials about the rise in the number of illegal housing schemes in the federal capital during a meeting on November 9.
According to a news source, the committee categorically stated this situation was a result of the CDA’s inability to enforce the law. Committee Chairman Senator Mohammed Javed Abbasi directed the authority to submit a full report describing all measures taken to prevent illegal housing schemes.
In response, CDA Member Planning Wasim Ahmed said a minimum of 200 kanals were required for a housing scheme but this condition was often circumvented by developers. Furthermore, while “black sheep” in the authority may have facilitated the growth of these unlawful schemes, state-owned utility services and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration were also responsible to a degree, he said.
“We all acknowledge that Ghori Town is illegal, but if the electricity and gas providers refuse to extend their services to housing colonies without an NOC from the CDA, the malaise won’t grow,” said Ahmed.
He added that ICT allowed the transfer of land and the registration of housing schemes despite objections raised by CDA, making the authority’s job difficult.
According to Ahmed, 109 illegal housing schemes had been identified by the CDA.
The meeting adjourned with CDA and ICT officials instructed to provide more details in the next session.
