Cash-strapped CDA wants private investors

Islamabad Property, May 28: Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Tahir Shahbaz said residential projects could no longer be launched in the federal capital without a joint venture with private partners, and the CDA Ordinance had to be amended for that.
He said this while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat and the Capital Administration and Development (CAD) on Tuesday.
Discussing the affairs of the Multi-Professional Employees Cooperative Housing Society (MPECHS), he said during the tenure of former chairman Kamran Lashari, the civic body had invited private partners to develop the northern strip of Sector E-11.
MPECHS had been a successful bidder and had not only vacated the land from encroachers but had also developed it.
On April 15, 2011 the Supreme Court had struck down a joint venture to develop 54acres of land since there was no provision in the CDA Ordinance for such ventures.
“We have been facing financial problems in starting a new residential project, and because of the flaws in the ordinance we cannot vacate the land,” the chairman said.
He said there were two types of awards which the CDA gave whenever it acquired a plot by vacating it; a land award and a build-up-property (BUP) award.
The land award was paid to compensate for the land (in the form of cash and a plot), while the BUP was paid to compensate for any building constructed on that land.
“Whenever the CDA makes a deal for the land award, people start constructing buildings, sometimes a single room, to get the BUP as well. This makes it impossible for the CDA to cater to all demands,” the chairman added.
However, representative of housing society Chaudhry Majeed said the CDA’s faulty rules were the reason why the civic body could not vacate land from the people.
“The CDA is the only authority in Pakistan which gives money as well as plots against the land and also pays for the buildings, while private companies make package deals with the land owners to get possession of the plot.
“Although CDA has acquired sector G-12, 40,000 houses were present there and now it is impossible for the CDA to provide 40,000 plots,” he said.
Mr Majeed claimed the civic body had to pay the dues of the housing society as per the Supreme Court orders, but the society had not received the dues worth Rs1.26 billion due to which it had to contact the court.

CDA struggles to overcome problems of water supply

Islamabad Property:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is still struggling to overcome problems in water supply to various sectors.
CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz Thursday said that power generators would be installed at the sites of tube wells in Islamabad in a few days to ensure smooth water supply to the residents.
He said that a mobile generator of 250KVA of the CDA Sports and Culture Directorate has already been shifted to the Sector G-10 water tanker filling point, which would help in reducing water complaints. In addition to this, water tankers of the Environment and Sports & Culture Wings have already been handed over to the Water Management Wing.
CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz said this while talking to journalists on the occasion of launching ceremony of the sector-wise ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ campaign in Sector F-11 here on Thursday.
The CDA chairman said that in order to control water shortage in some sectors of Islamabad Property, the CDA has taken sound steps. He said that the repair and maintenance of all off-road water tankers is under process and the CDA management has already released funds.
He said that the cooperation and participation of residents in the ongoing ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ campaign is commendable and CDA needs same cooperation and sense of responsibility from residents to cope with the water shortage issue.
The CDA chairman said that he is monitoring the water situation on daily basis and the issue will be controlled in a few days. He said that as sufficient water stock is available in Khanpur and Simly reservoirs, the CDA has increased supply of water from Simly Dam to cope with the shortage of water supplied through tube wells.
Syed Tahir Shahbaz said that the sector-wise ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ campaign was started about one and a half months back from Sector I-10 and phase-wise shifted to different sectors of Islamabad Property.

CDA directs to expedite Margalla construction work

Islamabad Property: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz has directed the Engineering Wing to expedite the pace of construction work on the avenue as per international standards by utilizing all available resources so that the commuters could enjoy the facility.
Chairman CDA said that Margalla Avenue would not only provide an easy access to the commuters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) but also reduce the traffic burden on Kashmir Highway, while entering the Federal Capital.
Talking to APP, CDA official said that Margalla Avenue Project was initiated to facilitate the traffic from GT Road at the cost of Rs 588 million.
He said that Margalla Avenue was 9 kilometers long with culverts, adding that the avenue would consist of 2 lanes of 12 feet width on each side.
The chairman issued directives to the authority concerned to accelerate the pace of development work on Margalla Avenue so that it could be completed within stipulated time.
Schedule announced for Margalla Festival: CDA’s Sports and Culture Directorate has announced the schedule for Margalla Festival 2013.
“Festival would start from May 31 and would remain continue till June 9 at Arts and Craft Village,” said a press release.
Margalla Festival will be inaugurated on May 31 at 8pm. Artist from all the four provinces, including Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir will entertain the visitors with their musical and cultural programs.
In addition, CDA has also established a food court area and stalls of different categories and the stalls are being booked in the Arts and Craft Village.
It is noted that June 1 would be celebrated as Punjab day and artist will present culture and folk of Punjab. June 2 would be dedicated to Sindh culture, June 4 would be celebrated as Balochistan day. There would be an exclusive show on Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan culture on June 6, whereas June 7 would be celebrated as Khyber PakhtunKhwa day.

Land for road to Bahria Enclave: Official causes Rs5bn loss to CDA

Islamabad Property, May 28: An inquiry has held the director general of the CDA planning division responsible for causing a loss of over Rs5 billion to the civic agency by allowing Bahria Town to use 110 kanals of land for the construction of a link road to Bahria Enclave without paying compensation.
According to the inquiry report, available with Dawn, Ghulam Sarwar Sandhu, the planning wing chief, deleted a clause from a letter which had asked Bahria Town to allocate an alternative land of an equal size in the same area.
An official of the CDA on the condition of anonymity said the letter was written by the planning wing director housing societies on Jan 30, 2012, and addressed to the general manager (planning and design) of Bahria Town.
The chairman CDA, Syed Tahir Shahbaz, when contacted by Dawn, added: “I had ordered the inquiry last month mainly on the directions of a judicial commission formed by Islamabad Property.”
“We will submit the inquiry report to the IHC on June 28 as ordered by the court,” he added.
An official in the authority added that on October 12, 2011, Bahria Town sought permission for construction of a 1.53-km-long road in Mouza Kuri to get an access to its housing society, Bahria Enclave, in Zone-IV.
The housing society was launched in July 2011. He said the entire area of Mouza Kurri was acquired by the CDA during the last four decades.
“The right of way to access Bahria Town was 120 feet wide and needed 110 kanals of land. The road is now completed,” said the official.
He maintained that on the demand of the civic agency, Bahria Town had in writing offered 110 kanals in the nearby Mauza.
A land directorate official added: “After a presentation given by Ghulam Sarwar Sandhu on January 2012, the CDA board approved the access route to the housing society of the Bahria Town.”
The inquiry report said: “Construction of the road would be allowed on the condition that Bahria Town will build two link roads – one 3.5km from Kuri Model Village site and the other – 1.5km – to the dumping site located close to Bahria Enclave.”
The CDA board also approved that “these roads would be the property of the civic agency which shall also possess their right of way.”
Secondly, the land used in the construction of the roads was to be compensated by the Bahria Town.
But, according to the official, the planning wing dropped one of the two conditions under which Bahria Town was to compensate the CDA for the 110 kanals.
The report said on Jan 30, 2012, the planning wing director general wrote a note to the members of the CDA board, then headed by Farkhand Iqbal, stating: “It is submitted that earlier the proposal for land compensation was for a stretch of 1.5km and now it has been decided to ask Bahria Town to construct an additional 3.5 km-long-road though Kuri Model Village.”
The director general had also noted, according to the inquiry report, that if the compensation was asked by the CDA (against the allotted 110 kanal area), the road would not remain a thoroughfare and its ownership would be claimed by Bahria Town anytime.

CDA Board approves auction of 10 commercial plots

Islamabad Property:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Board okayed auction of 10 commercial plots, while rejecting bids of four others, which would enable the civic body to fetch nearly Rs3.2 billion from the bidding exercise held on May 21 and 22.
The bids were accepted in the CDA Board meeting which was held in the absence of CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz, who was on an official visit to Turkey. The member finance, who is acting chairman, presided over the meeting.
A CDA official said they have also received Rs802 million as 25% of the total payment of 10 auctioned plots.
The CDA board rejected bids of four commercial plots observing that they have not been able to receive benchmark price. One of the four plots rejected by the CDA board includes plot No.57-C (2844.4 square yards) of Blue Area for which Rs307,000 per square yards were offered.
The board meeting also accepted bids of three commercial plots, each of them measuring 1333.33 square yards on which 22-storey high rise plazas would be raised. These three plots, however, would fetch much lower price as compared to bids offers of the last auction held in March, this year.
“The price received by these three plots will be Rs1,430 million as compared to previous total offers of Rs1,862 million,” the CDA sources.
The insiders in CDA told this correspondent that previous highest bids were cancelled by the CDA officials with the connivance of property mafia so that same plots could be sold at lower prices at the next auction.
A CDA official, however, told ‘The News’ that the previous price was also a benchmark but the new prices have also become new benchmark prices.

CDA directs contractors to speed up extension work of Kashmir highway

Islamabad property—The Capital Development Authority (CDA) directed contractors of Kashmir Highway project to speed up the construction work. Talking to APP, the CDA spokesperson said that expansion work of Kashmir highway would be completed by December this year.
He said the Kashmir Highway would be widened to five-lanes from existing two lanes on both sides. The project was estimated to cost Rs 4.8 billion and the expansion work was started in February 2012, he maintained.
Spokesperson said the construction work on new Islamabad Airport would complete by next year. With operational of the airport and expansion of residential sectors/housing societies, woul increase the traffic volumes. Keeping in view the above, the CDA has started the work on construction of widening of the Kashmir Highway.

CDA plans bus rapid transit service

Islamabad Property: The Capital Development Authority is planning to launch Bus Rapid Transit service in the federal capital to facilitate the citizens.
Member Planning and Development CDA Syed Mustafain Kazmi disclosed this while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). He said the CDA was also planning to develop a National Bus Terminal in I-11/4 to shift all transport to stated terminal.
He appreciated the role of businessmen for promoting the local economy and assured that CDA will take priority measures to address all issues of business community to facilitate them. He said CDA would fully cooperate with ICCI for developing a new industrial estate in Islamabad and informed that 60% work had been done to develop I-17 sector. He said the CDA planned to establish parking plazas in commercial areas and open many new sectors including I-12 and I-15. The member planning further said 52 commercial plots would be developed in I-12 to promote business activities.
Kazmi said many reforms were afoot in CDA including revision of bye-laws, computerisation of estate management, land management and other functional areas. These reforms will bring transparency, remove corruption and greatly facilitate the stakeholders of CDA. He assured his full support for ICCI representation in CDA Board and allocation of a cricket to Chamber in Islamabad Property.
Speaking on the occasion, President ICCI Zafar Bakhtawari appreciated the efforts of CDA for initiating various developmental projects in Islamabad and also briefed the member planning about various issues faced by the business community.
Bakhtawari demanded for allocation of a cricket ground to the chamber so that members could take part in healthy activities as well. He raised the issue of change of trade and proposed that CDA should allow change of trade except for negative list which would help promoting investment and business activities. He emphasised upon the CDA to provide car parking facilities in all commercial centers especially in F-6, F-7, F-10 & blue area sectors as well as develop all markets according to present day’s requirements.
He said representation of the ICCI in CDA Board was essential to create a bridge between citizens and the civic agency. This arrangement will also enable the CDA to understand rapidly increasing problems of the city and get input of stakeholders in policy making and decision-making process of mega projects.
Former President ICCI Munawar Mughal said CDA should allow construction of high-rise multi storey apartments and flats in commercial areas to give them on no-profit and no-loss basis to small traders to address their accommodation problems.

CDA to run tube wells on generators for smooth water supply to residents

Islamabad Property:
In view of long hours of power outages, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to use generators to operate tube wells to overcome water shortage in the metropolis.
CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz here on Sunday chaired a meeting of the concerned officials of the civic body to discuss disturbance in water supply to the residents.
He took serious notice of the complaints of water shortage in the city and directed the CDA Water Management Wing to ensure uninterrupted supply of water to the residents of the city.
Taking notice of the sharp increase in water complaints in ‘I’ and ‘G’ sectors, CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz directed the officials of the concerned departments to resolve the issue of water supply on priority. He further directed them to match the power outage schedule with the water supply timings to facilitate the residents.
The CDA chairman also reviewed progress on the complaints of water supply lodged by the residents of the federal capital at the CDA Headquarters.
CDA Member Engineering Sanaullah Aman apprised the chairman that there was sufficient water in Simly Dam due to sufficient rains in March and April, but tube wells could not be operated due to electricity loadshedding.
The CDA chairman directed the member engineering to hire the services of private water tankers in addition to the CDA water tankers. “Strict and effective monitoring system of water supply through tankers will help improve the supply of water to the residents of the city,” he said. He also directed for necessary repair and maintenance of water tankers.
He directed the officials to operate tube wells on generators to help improve the supply of water to the residents. In this connection, one of the generators installed at the CDA Headquarters would be shifted to the tube wells.
Tahir Shahbaz asked the residents of Islamabad Property not to waste clean water in gardening and car washing, which would help save water during the ongoing summer season.
He also directed the security and enforcement directorates for coordinated efforts with the Water Management Wing to take firm action against illegal water supply connections and launch a campaign in this regard. The CDA chairman urged the concerned formations to frame by-laws with the help of Law Wing of CDA, which would be promulgated against illegal water connections in the city.
The CDA member engineering apprised the CDA chairman that the water level in Simly and Khanpur dams has improved due to rains. He further told the CDA chairman that the Water Management Wing has formulated a strategy for meeting the water requirements of the citizens till the end of this year. He said that repair and maintenance work has been expedited on dysfunctional tube wells to increase the water supply.

CDA auctions commercial plots, earns Rs2.6bn

Islamabad Property, May 21: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) received a good response from the public on the first day of the grand auction of commercial plots held at the Convention Centre, earning Rs2.6 billion.
A press release issued by the CDA said the civic authority had offered ten commercial plots for bidding, including shopping centre plots, commercial plots in different Marakiz and commercial plots in Blue Area.
According to the details issued by the CDA’s media wing, Plot No.10 located in F-11 Markaz (measuring 888.88 square yards) had the highest bid of Rs456,000 per square yard.
The lowest bid was made for Plot No.34, G-11 Markaz, measuring 1777.77 square yards at the rate of Rs181,000 per square yard.The auction committee would submit its recommendations to the CDA Board, which is the final authority for the approval of these auctions.

Water shortage hits capital

Islamabad Property, May 21: With the mercury rising, the residents of the federal capital have started facing water shortage.
Residents of G, F and I sectors are fed up with the irregular supplies.
“I don’t see any solution to the water shortage in the near future so it is better to do something on our own instead of facing the same problem during the summer ,” said Ali Tahir.
Around 40 per cent of the total water available for the capital is wasted due to leaking supply lines.
The residents said that it was just the beginning of summer season and water has become too low than demand. They said that the situation hints that the crisis could get extremely worse in coming days.
When contacted by CDA, officials admitted that the civic body receives about 500 water related complaints daily. Putting the whole responsibility on electricity breakdowns, they said hours long load shedding was hampering smooth water supply in some sectors of the federal capital.
However, official said that CDA was working on an emergency basis to replace damaged water lines in different areas of the city.

CDA to ensure smooth supply of water

Islamabad Property: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz directed the water supply wing of the authority to ensure continuous supply of water to the residents of the federal capital and to take measures to repair all broken-lines and leaking water tanks to cope with the shortage of water in the summer.
CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz said this while inaugurating “Clean & Green Islamabad Property” campaign in sector I8.
The CDA chairman has directed Water Supply Wing of the authority to ensure uninterrupted supply of water to the residents of capital city in summer season.
He has also directed Water Management Wing to supply water through water tankers to the sectors facing acute shortage of water.
He said that staff of water management would work round the clock in three shifts so that the complaints could be addressed promptly and services of private tankers would also be hired.
He has also directed repair of all those water tankers, which need necessary maintenance. The chairman CDA has requested the citizen to use the water frugally to avoid its wastage.
Earlier, he visited different areas of Sector I8 to inspect roads, parks, water supply system, sewerage system and grounds.
He directed the authority concerned to carry out repair, maintenance and renovation work in those areas.
Meanwhile residents of sector I10/2 also raised their concerns over lack of water supply in certain areas and said that authority claims such promises every times but doesn’t fulfil them.

Important road projects to be completed in next 5 years

Islamabad Property: National Highways Authority (NHA) expects the road projects having significance of regional and international links will be completed during the next five years.
NHA is looking after 12,131 kilometers (km) long road network all over the country and it is expected road projects having significant of regional and international links will be completed during the next five years.
Participants of 13th Faculty member incharge Sher Afghan Khan visited NHA on Monday. NHA’s member (planning) Raja Nowsherwan gave a detailed briefing regarding functioning of NHA.
National Highway network played a vital role in socio-economic uplift and NHA were endeavoring to establish a countrywide coordinated road network.
He said NHA was maintaining 2,731 km road in Punjab, 2,204 km in Sindh, 1,878 km in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 4,565 km in Balochistan. Total length of new road projects is 3713 km, which will be completed at cost of $3,911 million. NHA is paying particular attention towards road building and Gwadar linkages in Balochistan. Ratodero-Khuzdar-Panjgur Road stands among priorities of NHA. He expressed commitment to reduce traveling time on NHA network to a considerable extent. NHA desires to undertake road projects on Public Private Partnership and Built, Operate, Transfer basis.

‘Improvement of economy should be top priority of new government’

Islamabad Property: Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) said new government should give top priority to improve economy for making sound progress.
President ICCI Zafar Bakhtawari talking to members of Islamabad District Bar Association led by its President Dr Syed M Anwar Shah said election process in the country had almost been completed and it was time to move forward to address the burning issues of the country.
The new government should focus on good governance and political stability, which were must for economic stability and investment in the country, he said.
Bakhtawari said our neighbors China and India were achieving fast economic progress and Pakistan has to catch up with them to remain competitive in the region.
He appreciated the efforts of Islamabad Bar Association in making contribution for the welfare of its members and betterment of society. Dr Syed M Anwar Shah said healthy relationship between ICCI and Islamabad Property District Bar was good for serving the common interests of their members.
ICCI and Islamabad District Bar being the important segments of society should join hands to develop a strong pressure group that could influence the government for implementation of constitutional rights and economic policies.
ICCI former President Munawar Mughal emphasised for shifting district court set ups from F-8 Markaz to G-11 sector, presence of courts and lawyers in this key business centre was badly affecting the business activities. app

Commuters sweat under sun at Zero Point

Islamabad Property: The commuters are exposed to blazing sun and continue to sweat as they wait at Zero Point Interchange which has no proper bus stop and waiting sheds.
Hundreds of commuters’ daily use local transport for traveling in the city, but wait on the roadsides facing hot weather conditions.
Fahim Ahmed, a commuter waiting at Zero Point Islamabad Property bus stop said that he always waited on footpath or the roadside for transport due to absence of proper bus stop and sheds.
He said in the summer season and after monsoon rains it becomes difficult for the commuters to wait in absence of a bus stop.
When contacted an official of CDA said it is planning to construct a proper bus stops and waiting sheds, which were either removed or damaged during construction of the Zero Point Interchange. (APP)

FGEHF steps outside its mandate: Private developers engaged to construct apartments

Islamabad Property, May 15: The Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) has stepped outside its mandate and engaged private developers to construct residential apartments, Dawn has learnt.
The sources in the Capital Development Authority (CDA) the FGEHF move could cost the exchequer Rs10 billion.
“According to the CDA Ordinance 1960 the FGEHF is mandated to allot only low cost housing units and plots for government employees developed through the civic agency,” said a senior official in the CDA on condition of anonymity.
This had been the practice since the first scheme came out in 1980s when CDA built the Sector I-8.
Similarly, the Federal Government Employees Housing Scheme allotted plots and apartments after CDA acquired land to develop sectors G-11, D-12, E12, G-13 and G-14, the official explained.
However, the FGEHF had already got the plans for the apartment buildings spread over 200 kanals in G-13, altered from the CDA from ground plus three stories to ground plus 14 stories.
The price for alteration or the new architectural redesigning from four storied to 15 storied structures was roughly a colossal Rs100 million.
According to the original plan, the civic agency designed the ground plus three storied apartments only keeping in mind resources and facilities to be provided to residents such as water and sewerage, etc.
The four storied structures were standard requirements in all sectors whenever new housing scheme in Islamabad Property were opened/launched by the CDA to accommodate low income or junior ranking government servants.
“The four storied apartment buildings are designed in G-13 keeping in mind the available space and the basic facilities that CDA can ensure to its residents once they move in,” said the source explaining how the extra floors would put strain on the available services since the sector was not designed for 11 new floors in each building or the extra 3, 000 apartments.
According to the CDAs Estate Wing, Sector G-13 already had some major shortcomings when it came to providing basic facilities to its residents.
Besides ensuring uninterrupted supply of gas, electricity connections, shortage of clean water was the biggest problem in G-13.
“Underground water is insufficient in G-13 and its surrounding sectors. This is why the CDA will be laying a pipeline to bring water from the Khanpur Dam beyond the Margalla Hills to provide water to the National University for Science and Technology (NUST), I-14, I-15, I-16, H-12, G-13 and G-14,” the source said.
The National Reference Manual followed countrywide for building housing schemes, specified how residential accommodation/plots could not accede 55 per cent of the total space of a sector.
But residential accommodations in G-13 were spread across 65 per cent land to meet housing requirements of the rapidly expanding capital city.
With the new design of the apartments would come completely fresh, plans for sizes of roads and parking spaces also to mention some concerns, said the source.
Worst, according to sources in the Estate Wing of CDA, were also to prepare marketing plan for the scheme of the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation once it was completed. Senior officials in the Estate Wing of the civic agency explained how government housing schemes were never marketed for sale.

Lok Virsa opens Cultural Diorama on Saudi Arabia

Friday, May 17, 2013 - Islamabad Property—Lok Virsa, Ministry of National Heritage & Integration, here on Thursday created a Cultural Diorama on Saudi Arabia “Al-Ghadeer” at Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology (PNME).
For this purpose, Lok Virsa has allocated a spacious hall of 30 x 30 feet within PNME, Heritage Museum for which artifacts were being contributed by the Government of Saudi Arabia through its mission in Islamabad.
In this regard, a ceremony to inaugurate the space for the Saudi diorama was held at Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, which was graced by Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer and caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Shahzada Jamal Nazir.
Heritage Museum depicts living cultural traditions and lifestyle of the people of Pakistan having a covered area of 60,000 square feet.
Speaking on the occasion, Saudi Ambassador, Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer said “Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to its relations with brotherly Muslim country Pakistan. Pakistan has a rich and diverse culture, which has been creatively presented at the Heritage Museum”.
He hoped that formation of new government will overcome the big challenges faced by Pakistani nation and assured their support and cooperation for the newly elected government.
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Integration Shahzada Jamal Nazir said, “Pakistan enjoys cordial and friendly relations with the Government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
These relations are time tested and based on the universal principles of love, peace and harmony.
The Minister thanked the Ambassador for his personal efforts in materializing the proposal in reality.
He also commended the contribution of his own department Lok Virsa and its dedicated team in documenting and preserving the cultural heritage of Pakistan and other friendly countries that have established their cultural displays and link passages here at the heritage museum in a high state of present-ability.
Earlier in his welcoming remarks, Lok Virsa’s executive director Khalid Javaid said, “Most of the museums in Pakistan are of archaeological nature which are a throwback from colonial times.
The Heritage Museum is the first museum of ethnology in Pakistan which presents the history and living traditions of the people of Pakistan both from the mainstream and the remotest regions of the country.
The location of this landmark achievement at Islamabad Property enriches the federal capital and adds to its attractions, he stated”.

CDA launches ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ campaign

Islamabad Property: Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Syed Tahir Shahbaz Tuesday urged the citizens to participate in "Clean and Green Islamabad" campaign which would prove that they have keen interest in resolving civic issues.
Syed Tahir Shahbaz said this at the launching ceremony of the sector-wise "Clean and Green Islamabad Property " campaign here in Sector G-7.
On this occasion Member Administration, Munir Ahmad Chaudhry, Member Engineering, Sanaullah Aman, Member Environment Ahsan Ali Mangi, other officials of CDA, School children, member of civil society, Sector Citizens Committee, Traders and a large number of citizens were also present.
Awareness Walk was held from CDA Camp Office to Police station G-7 Markaz.
The Chairman CDA directed the officers and officials of Environment, Sanitation, Municipal Administration and Engineering Wings of the Authority to resolve the grievances of residents and traders of Sector G-7 on priority basis.
The camp office would be operative for three days, adding that he would personally visit the camp office at different times.
He directed Member Engineering to pay special attention regarding patch work on road so that the commuters could not suffered.
Earlier, Chairman CDA, Syed Tahir Shahbaz visited different areas of Sector to examine roads, parks, water supply system, sewerage system and grounds.
He directed the concerned formations of the authority to carry out repair, maintenance and renovation work in those areas.

CDA chairman lauds public interest in campaign

Islamabad Property: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz has said that participation of the residents of Islamabad in the campaign ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ is amazing and it has proved that they have keen interest in resolving civic issues.
He said this on the occasion of launching ceremony of the sector-wise ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ campaign in Sector G-7 here on Tuesday. On the occasion, Member Administration Munir Ahmad Chaudhry, Member Engineering Sanaullah Aman, Member Environment Ahsan Ali Mangi officers, schoolchildren, members of civil society, members of the Sector G-7 Citizens Committee and traders were present on the occasion.
The participants of the campaign also took part in an awareness walk. Schoolchildren displayed placards inscribed with awareness slogans on ‘Neat and Clean Islamabad Property’. The awareness walk started from the CDA Camp Office and ended at the Police Station in Markaz G-7.
The CDA chairman directed the officials of environment, sanitation, municipal administration and engineering wings of the authority to resolve the grievances of residents and traders of Sector G-7 on priority basis. The camp office would be operatiional for three days, adding that he would personally visit the camp office at different times.
He directed the member engineering to pay special attention to patchwork on roads.
Earlier, CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz visited different areas of the sector to examine roads, parks, water supply system, sewerage system and grounds. He directed the concerned formations of the authority to carry out repair, maintenance and renovation work in those areas.

CDA fails to deliver in D12

Islamabad Property: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has failed to complete the development work in Sector D12 despite the lapse of many years after the allotment of plots.
The sector was started in 1989 and the allottees have been waiting for the completion of the development work in the sector for last 24 years. The contract of the development work in the sector was awarded in 2005 and work was to complete in one-and-a-half to two year’s time but the same could not be finished even after the passage of eight years. The officials of the civic authority said that the development work in the sector is going on a very slow pace and about 65 percent work has been completed.
They informed that base-work of the roads has been completed and laying of water supply, drainage and sewerage lines is underway.
The officials said that land for service road west and east could not be acquired so far and Land and Rehabilitation Department was not taking effective steps in this regard. Secondly, the contractor was working at a very slow pace on the project. The allottees demanded of the CDA chairman to take notice of the situation and ensure completion of development work in the sector.
Inordinate delay in completion of the development work in Sector D12 has created problem to the allottees. The officials concerned said that advance payment amounting to Rs 140 million has been made to the contractor but the work is being executed slow paced by the contractor. Banners removed: Meanwhile, with the completion of polling process in the federal capital Islamabad Property, the CDA has started removing banners and panaflexes of political parties According to the officials of the civic authority, after the completion of polling process in the capital city, they have started removing all the banners from poles and trees to bring the city to its original clean and beautiful condition.

Tahir seeks residents’ coop to beautify capital

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - Islamabad Property—Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Syed Tahir Shahbaz has requested residents of Sector G-7 to extend cooperation to the authority to make “Clean and Green Islamabad” a successful campaign for the beauty of Capital. The phase-wise “Clean and Green Islamabad Property” campaign of CDA would be launched in Sector G-7 in the FederalCapital on May 14, after successful accomplishment in Sectors I-10, G-10, G-11, G-9 and I-9.
The campaign would continue for three days. The Chairman along with school children, traders, NGOs, residents of the sector and Authority officials would participate in the campaign in Sitara Market.
Syed Tahir Shahbaz has directed Environment Wing, Sanitation Directorate, City Sewerage Division, Enforcement Directorate, Municipal Administration, Water Supply, Engineering Wing and concerned formations of the authority to ensure their presence in the Camp Office for redressing of complaints of the General Public.
Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has failed to complete the developmentwork in Sector D-12 despite the lapse of many years after the allotments of plots to the allottees.
The sector was started in 1989 and the allottees have been waiting for the completion of the upliftwork in the sector for last 24 years.
The contract of the development work in the sector was awarded in 2005 and work was to complete in one and a half to two years time but the same could not be finished even after the passage of eight years. The officials of the civic authority said that the development work in the sector is going on though on a very slow pace and about 65 percent work has been completed. They informed that base-work of the roads has been completed and laying of water supply, drainage and sewerage lines is underway.
The officials said that possession of land for service road west and east could not be gotten so far and Land and Rehabilitation department was not taking effective steps in this regard. Secondly, the contractor was working at a very slow pace on the project. The allottees demanded of the chairman CDA to take notice of the situation and make sure the completion of development work in the sector.

Protest against contaminated water

Islamabad Property: The residents of Ali Pur Taramri Chowk have protested against non-supply of clean drinking water by CDA here the other day. The area is thickly populated and most of the population consists of government employees but the CDA made no arrangements to supply clean drinking water to it. “A school teacher, Ali Akber, said, “We do not have much time to bring water from filtration plants operating in remote localities.” “Members of every second family of this area are suffering from abdominal diseases due to use of contaminated water,” said a trader, Khizar Hayat. Social and religious circles have demanded immediate supply of clean drinking water to the area. online

CDA begins survey for payment of compensation in sector C-15, C-16

ISLAMABAD PROPERTY: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started conducting survey in connection with payment of compensation to the affectees regarding their houses in sectors C-15 and C-16.
Directives have been issued to give final shape to layout plans of both these sectors. CDA will open these two sectors and allocate residential plots following the completion of home work.
CDA chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz has directed director member planning and design Syed Mustafin Kazmi to finalize lay out plan of sectors C-15 and C-16 as soon as possible. He also directed member statement management Shaista Sohail to complete survey as early as possible with respect to payment of compensation of houses to the affectees so that award could be worked out

Cooperation in energy sector to energise Pak-Tajikistan relations

ISLAMABAD PROPERTY: Tajikistan has huge hydel power potential therefore Pakistan and Tajikistan could cooperate in this area to further enhance their bilateral relations.
Gononov S Sherali Ambassador of Tajikistan in Pakistan at Islamabad Property Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) said Tajikistan was keen to establish direct air-link between Islamabad and Dushanbe, which would bring people of the two countries closer to each other.
He said Tajik Air flights on Dushanbe-Islamabad-Dubai would pave the way for increasing tourist traffic and promoting greater people to people contacts as well as he informed the meeting that Qatar Airline was also interested to establish Doha-Dushanbe-Islamabad air link which would also create direct air link between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Mr Gononov said Pakistani cement and textile have great demand in Tajikistan, adding both the countries could initiate joint ventures in the areas of mutual interests, which would open new avenues of cooperation.
Zafar Bakhtawari President ICCI said there should be direct air link between Pakistan and all Central Asian Republic States as well as all these countries should support each other in promoting regional connectivity through starting at least two of their flights in a week which would help businessmen in visiting each other’s country and exploring new areas of commercial linkages.
He said both the sides should ensure liberal visa policy to enable the businessmen get visa easily and meet each other which was imperative to boost trade ties between the two countries as there was enough potential in various fields between the two countries to increase trade.

Illegal land occupation in Sector E-11

Thursday, May 09, 2013 - Islamabad Property—Owners of Private Housing Society have started illegal occupation of land allocated by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for public parks,educational institutions and parking in Sector E-11.
CDA Sources said that it is difficult problem to be solved because some officers in CDA are conniving with the owners and the latter have merged the illegally occupied land in the sphere ofsociety.
Whenever the CDA issues No Objection Certificate (NOC), it is clearly mentioned therein that no illegal extension of land be made and the land lying around the societies is owned by CDA.
But owners of the private housing society are not complying with the rules and regulations of CDA. They are selling the land, which they have illegally occupied and made part of their societies.
Sources said that last week, Islamabad High Court constituted a judicial commission to investigate the matter while the commission directed the chairman of CDA to provide a detailed report about those who were involved in these unlawful activities.

Sector I-9 To Be Covered By ‘Clean And Green Islamabad Campaign’

Launched by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the Clean and Green Islamabad Property campaign reaches the Sector I-9 today (Monday- 6th April). It has been requested to the residents by the chairman of Capital Development authority to take concentrated part in the campaign for ensuring its success.
The chairman of CDA, Syed Tahir Shahbaz, savours the honour of inaugurating the campaign.

Clean, green Islamabad needs citizens support: Shahbaz

Islamabad—Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Syed Tahir Shahbaz has said that achieving target goals of “Clean and Green Islamabad with support, cooperation of citizens, was imperative. On the occasion of launching ceremony of the sector-wise “Clean and Green Islamabad” campaign in Sector I-9 here on Monday, he said that Islamabad was the beautiful city of Country, and maintaining the beauty and highlighting the green character offederal capital was the dire need of the hour.
On this occasion Chief Coordinator of “Clean and Green Islamabad Property” campaign and Member Planning and Design, Syed Mustafain Kazmi, member administration, Munir Ahmad Chaudhry, member engineering, Sanaullah Aman, officers and officials of CDA, School children, member ofcivil society, Sector Citizens Committee, Traders and a large number of citizens were also present; who also joined an awareness walk on “Clean and Green Islamabad” campaign, and school childrendisplayed placards inscribed with awareness slogans about Neat and Clean Islamabad.
Chairman CDA directed the officers and officials of Environment, Sanitation, MunicipalAdministration and Engineering Wings of the authority to resolve the grievances of residents andtraders of Sector I-9 at the 3-day camp office on priority. He assured that he would personally visit to the camp office at different times to inspect the performance of the deputed officers and officials in Sector I-9; while he assured to remain in contact with the public effective functioning of the campaign so that the public could get the benefits of the ongoing drive.
Chairman CDA said that sector-wise “Clean and Green Islamabad Property” campaign was initiated from Sector I-10 and the campaign was shifted to Sector G-10, G-11 and G-9, adding that today he has visited Sector I-10 to inspect the consistency of the drive. He urged the officers and officials to serve the public with zeal. Earlier, Chairman CDA, Syed Tahir Shahbaz visited different areas of Sector I-9 and Markaz I-9 to examine roads, parks, water supply system, sewerage system and ground.

‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ campaign reaches Sector I9

ISLAMABAD: The Clean and Green Campaign of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) will be moved to Sector I-9 today (Monday). CDA chairman has requested the residents to ensure the maximum participation in the “Clean & Green Islamabad Property” Campaign to make it a success. CDA chairman, Syed Tahir Shahbaz will inaugurate the campaign.

CDA’s OWOD directed to promptly resolve public issues

ISLAMABAD PROPERTY: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz has directed officers and officials of One Window Operation (OWO) Directorate to promptly resolve the issues of the people who visit CDA on daily basis inline with modern techniques.
The chairman CDA said this on the occasion of surprise visit to One Window Operation Directorate here at CDA Headquarters. On the occasion Member Estate, Shaista Sohail was also present.
Chairman CDA, Syed Tahir Shahbaz said that the purpose of One Window Operation is to resolve the complaints of the general public in an efficient manner inline with modern techniques in a single compound to avoid the odd official tools and tactics. He directed the concerned officers to device a strategy for computerisation of old record so that maximum record could be saved for the future.
He said that computerisation of old record would also ensure transparency as well. He directed the concerned officials to demonstrate moral obligations while dealing the public at the counters with quality official responsibilities inline with best professional techniques to satisfy them. He further directed for timely execution and completions of cases of people to ease their woes and worries, adding that effective coordinated efforts are a must for different directorates, particularly all the directorates of Estate Wing.
Chairman CDA also inspected visitors’ room, clean drinking water facility, washrooms and other allied facilities and directed for further improvement in these facilities.
Member Estate, Shaista Sohail apprised the Chairman CDA that effective measures have been taken for efficient and smooth functioning of One Window Operation. She apprised that most of the record of Estate Wing has been computerised and remaining work on computerisation would be carried out as and when computers and other related electronic appliances are furnished.
She informed that due to increase in population, development in stalled and opening of new sectors, Estate Wing has been expanded by restructuring it. She said that she has already directed the all officers of Estate Wing for awareness of the problems of the allottees of the respective sectors besides the allotment and transfer of plots to be referred to all formations of the authority for redressing these grievances. She also informed that Estate Wing has been divided into to parts, one for the already established sectors and the other is dealing with the new residential sectors.

Poor engineering costs CDA Rs1 billion

Islamabad Property, May 4: Poor engineering in the construction of a road at Sector I-11/2 has caused a loss of about Rs1 billion to the civic agency of Islamabad Property, it has been learnt.
The I-11/2 land is under the possession of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and its engineering wing is constructing the one-kilometre-long road in the sector, said a senior official of the civic agency.
The sector has a large number of residential plots developed for the CDA employees. The official said the engineering wing during the road work had eaten up over 150 residential plots.
“The road was constructed on an area which originally had 150 residential plots of different sizes and the error is in the notice of the CDA management,” added the official.
“How can you eat up our plots because of the poor road engineering,” said labour union leader Mazhar Hussain.
He said they would lodge a protest with the management of the authority through their union representatives if a proper probe was not initiated into the issue.
“We will take the matter to the court of law if action was not taken against the culprits,” he added.
However, Sanaullah Aman, the member engineering of the authority, passed the buck to the CDA planning department.
“My wing’s job is to build roads and I have established a few roads as per the maps given to me by the planning wing. If plots have been eaten up by the road you are talking about, you should ask the planning wing officials,” asserted Mr Aman.
He maintained that the road work had been going on since 2012. “Now we are almost close to completing the project. Even the work on laying of pipelines and drainage system is complete in the sector,” said Mr Aman.
A source in the CDA informed Dawn that the road was changed and not built in accordance with the original map.

Plots’ scandal

Sunday, May 05, 2013 - Islamabad Property—Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has included three Directors of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) into investigation in the bogus plotscandal.
The FIA sources said that former director HR along with others CDA officials were involved in theallotment of bogus plot, adding that director HR Muhammad Ali, director state management Abid Latif and director Mehboob have been included in the investigation process. Sources said that 22 bogus names were inducted in balloting of plots, adding that the imprisoned CDA director had allotted plots to the property dealers. The price of one plot is said to be worth of Rs 4 billion.

CDA Anti-Encroachment Drive Meets Stiff Resistance

The Capital Development Authority (CDA)’s anti-encroachment team demolished illegal slums in sectors G-9, G-13, and G-11 and closed down 15 shops in Melody Food Street on Thursday despite tough resistance from encroachers.
Slum areas are found in almost every sector of the capital. Previously, the CDA anti-encroachment team met stiff resistance from slum dwellers who beat some of the CDA staff members. Now the CDA has begun the operation with the help of the Islamabad Property police.
Separately, an enforcement team of the CDA was beaten by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers for removing illegal banners hung in support of Faisal Sakhi Butt, contesting from NA-48.
According to details, the CDA enforcement team was removing panaflex banners hung by various political parties when PPP workers beat the CDA employees on account of removing Butt’s banners.
When contacted, Margalla Police Station House Officer said the CDA employees came to the police to station to lodge the first information report (FIR) but senior members of the PPP also reached there and got the matter resolved. However, sources revealed that the CDA staff members staged a protest in front of the police station and demanded strict action against the PPP workers.

Private housing scheme emerges on Margallas

ISLAMABAD PROPERTY, May 3: As if stone crushers had not caused a significant destruction to the tail-end of the Margalla Hills, citizens of Islamabad have also started gnawing and causing environmental damage to the pristine setting.
A private individual has cleared acres of land in Zone III starting from behind Sector D-12 and stretching towards the Shah Allah Ditta village to the west, carving out roads and plots for a private housing scheme.
The sight is hidden behind small hills deep into the Margalla Hills. The development came into notice of the estate department of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) when some of its officers visiting D-12 discovered an illegally constructed dirt road on the state land running over a hill and disappearing behind it into Zone III that was the Margalla Hills National Park territory.
Although the CDA is now aware of the development and trying to determine the limits of its acquired land (beyond D-12) and the boundaries of the Margalla Hills National Park, the civic agency is almost a year too late.
The green has been cleared, dirt roads zigzagged up and down hills and eight to 10 feet high rock cut out from the hills. Concrete walls surrounded giant allotted plots and a palatial residence has also come up, completely disfiguring the untouched land.
The estate department had reasons to believe that all the construction was illegal. “Some portions of the housing scheme have encroached on the CDA land and the other is in the National Park territory,” said a senior official of the estate department.
Over the years, the CDA has been gradually acquiring land starting from Noorpur Shahan heading west in the direction of the G.T. Road.
It has also acquired land in Saidpur and Gokina villages but stopped short of the Mauza Shah Allah Ditta because of shortage of funds. Acquiring the remaining belt stretching to Peshawar G.T. Road was in the pipeline.
However, according to the official, the national park area was not clearly demarcated.
To make matters worse, there were no building regulations for areas not acquired by the civic authority, giving private holders the power to use properties for whatever purposes.
And worst still, although the Margalla Hills was declared protected in 1980s, the CDA has so far made no arrangement to stop the sale and purchase of the un-acquired land at the foot of the hills.

CDA to uplift sector G-9

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will take extraordinary measures for renovation, up-gradation and beautification of Sector G-9 as this sector is the most populated sector and Markaz G-9 is the busiest trade centre of Islamabad Property. CDA chairman, Syed Tahir Shahbaz said this on the occasion of launching ceremony of the sector-wise “Clean and Green Islamabad” campaign in Sector G-9 here on Thursday. On this occasion Chief Coordinator of “Clean and Green Islamabad” campaign and Member Planning and Design, Syed Mustafain Kazmi, Member Engineering, Sanaullah Aman, officers and officials of CDA, school children, members of civil society, traders and a large number of citizens were also present. The participants of the campaign also joined an awareness walk on “Clean and Green Islamabad Property” campaign. School children displayed placards inscribed with awareness messages. Addressing the participants of awareness walk, Syed Tahir Shahbaz said a large number of low paid employees of the government are residing in Sector G-9, while Markaz G-9 is the busiest trade centre of the capital due to which the number of issues faced by the public here are more than any other sector of the city. He directed the officers and officials of environment, sanitation, municipal administration and engineering wings of the authority to pay special heed and resolve these grievances of residents and traders of Sector G-9 in available resources on priority. He assured the residents and traders of Sector G-9 that the authority would utilise its manpower and machinery to resolve their problems. Earlier, CDA chairman visited different areas of Sector G-9 and examined roads, parks, water supply system, sewerage system and grounds. He directed the concerned formations of the authority to repair the damaged areas. He appreciated the active participation of school children in the campaign and declared it a great omen for the elders and people from all walks of life. inp

DHA defending scammers

Islamabad Property:
The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) is reluctant to provide land record of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to FIA, which is investigating a staggering land scam told sources in the ETPB.
According to sources, investigators have issued notices to the DHA management to provide record but no avail. The record collected from the ETPB revealed that there was 4,259-Kanals and 11-marlas land at Village Dera Chahal, Motasinghwala and Lider, Tehsil Lahore Cantt and owned by ETPB. Village-wise land detail is as follows: Dera Chahal 244-K & 15-M, Motasinghwala 862-K & 1-M and Lidher1152-K & 15-M.
During initial probe of FIA, investigators claimed that due to the absence of complete record of DHA, it was not possible to give conclusive recommendations.
However, as per available record from ETPB, approval granted by the Board for the exchange of land without considering terms and conditions etc. opens scope and authority for the Chairman ETPB to be probed further.
The plea of members of the board is yet to be recorded for which formal notices have been issued to them.
The Probe report says that the Federal Government also granted approval without determining terms and conditions i.e total land, location, survey/price report etc. which also needs thorough probe as the plea of the concerned officers/official of Ministry of Minorities (now defunct) is yet to be recorded.
Apparently, it seems that the Draft Agreement should have been forwarded to the Controlling Ministry/Ministry of Law & Justice Division for vetting (DHA’s version of the concerned Ministry is yet to be recorded).
ET Land situated at Dera Chahal, Motasinghwala and Mauza Lidher has agricultural status in books but due to tremendous increase in population and development by DHA Lahore, the status of the said land has become urban property due to the fact that it is surrounded by developed scheme of DHA, Lahore and others. This matter is also required to be probed whether any commission/kick backs /personal gains have been obtained or not.
FIA probe report revealed that registry expenses amounting to Rs39,189,600 initially borne by the ETPB instead of DHA and subsequently reimbursed to ETPB by DHA after period of one and half month needs to be probed. Similarly expenditures incurred by DHA Lahore as per their claim for vacation of land from the land grabbers/occupants also needs thorough probe.
Record pertaining to the allegations of illegal allotments of plot to officers/officials of Ministry of Minorities has been obtained which is under scrutiny, report further maintained.
As per record regarding illegal leasing of Gurdwara Land situated at Ghas Mandi, Sahiwal was obtained. Scrutiny of the same revealed that Property No.518-519/B-IV measuring to 1-K & 13-M belongs to Hindu Mat Singh Saba Mandir.

CDA director arrested for allotting plots illegally

ISLAMABAD PROPERTY, April 29: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday arrested Director Enforcement of Capital Development Authority (CDA) on charges of allotting 24 plots of Rs750 million in Sector I-8 illegally.
On the other hand, the CDA chairman has instructed the departments concerned to cooperate with the FIA and ordered the member finance of CDA Azhar Ali to conduct a detailed inquiry into the scandal, Dawn has learnt.
An officer of the CDA on condition of anonymity said that the FIA team arrested Director Enforcement Naveedul Haq and shifted him to head office for investigation.
“In January 2013, plots were allotted to 109 officers of the CDA, though majority of them were on deputation, which led to the protest by the CDA union,” he said.
The union had the objection that the management of the CDA was allotting plots to deputationists but ignoring regular employees who have been working in civic agency for decades, he said.
“A few days ago, FIA learnt that Mr Naveed dropped 20 names from the list and included another 24 names including his own name in the list of allottees and then issued offer letters to all the allottees.
During initial investigation it was learnt that all 24 persons were not entitled to the plots,” he said.
According to rules, a deputationist can get plot after one year of his service in CDA but names of Director General Admin Laique Yousafzai and Director Human Resource Muhammad Ali were included, although they did not fulfill the service length criterion, he said.
An officer in administration wing of CDA requesting anonymity said that the initial investigation had identified Deputy Directors Syed Hakeem Raza Zaidi, Ali Murtaza Bukhari, Dr Hamid and officer of Capital Hospital Mohammad Waheed as being involved in fake allotments.
“While balloting for the allotment of plots was being done in Convention Centre in 2012, CDA union office-bearers reached there and got the process stopped.
Later, officers went to a hostel of a university and did the balloting there. In the end they also added undeserving names in the list. They also tried to convince present Chairman CDA Syed Tahir Shahbaz to add his name in the list but chairman refused, he said.
“Each plot in Sector I-8 is worth Rs35 million. With this price one can easily estimate what would be the volume of corruption,

CDA to install more filtration plants in Sector G-11

Islamabad Property:
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will install more water filtration plants and construct service road in Sector G-11, while the plazas in G-11 Markaz would be linked through inter-connected road network and parking lots to facilitate traders and shoppers.
CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz said this while inaugurating ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ campaign in Sector G-11 here on Monday. On the occasion, the chief coordinator of the campaign and CDA Member Planning and Design Syed Mustafain Kazmi, Member Administration Munir Ahmad Chaudhry, Member Engineering Sanaullah Aman, officers and officials of the CDA, schoolchildren, traders, civil society members, senior citizens and residents of Sector G-11 were present.
The CDA chairman said that the G-11 Markaz would be upgraded on the pattern of other ‘marakiz’ of the city. He directed the concerned formations of the authority to initiate work on smooth supply of water to the residents of Sector G-11.
He also directed for repair and maintenance of sewerage system and footpaths in the sector, adding that all kinds of encroachments would be eradicated from the sector without any discrimination.
He said that the purpose of his visit to every sector is to resolve the grievances of the residents and traders at the spot. He directed for conversion of inquiry offices into camp office on permanent basis after the three-day campaign in every sector so that the issues faced by the public could be resolved.
The CDA chairman also visited different areas of Sector G-11 and directed Chief Coordinator Syed Mustafain Kazmi to ensure attendance of focal persons and staff of concerned formations in the camp-office for redressel of grievances of the resident of Sector G-11. He also directed the officers of Environment, Sanitation, Municipal Administration, City Sewerage Division, and Engineering Wing for effective monitoring of the staff deputed in Sector G-11.
The chairman requested the residents of Sector G-11 to cooperate with CDA for maintaining the beauty of the sector. He also requested citizens, members of civil society, and media to cooperate with CDA for making ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ campaign a success and to submit their valuable suggestions for more effective results.
He said that he would pay consistent visits to those sectors where the ‘Clean and Green Islamabad’ Campaign has already initiated to observe the pace of work with consistency.

Land conversion fee waiver costs CDA billions

ISLAMABAD PROPERTY, April 30: Sitting on a treasure trove, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been throwing away public land for category conversion to private parties that made them billionaires.
However, the civic authority is on the verge of bankruptcy, struggling even to meet its core expenditure.
When a senior CDA official was asked why it was so, he explained: “The CDA is subservient to the government and the government is subservient to the private housing societies.”
It made sense when he explained how in the last 15 years the civic authority had not charged private housing societies the fees determined by market forces for converting agriculture or barren land into prime residential and commercial properties worth millions.
No clear answers were available as to why the more than 50 private housing societies, which have come up mostly within the last 10 years, had been exempted from the land conversion charges, especially when the fees were mandatory under the CDA by-laws.
“In both developed and developing countries, land conversion fees are a major source of revenue for civic authorities,” the official added on the condition of anonymity.
Elaborating on how the system worked, he explained how a private investor purchased 400 to 800 kanals of agriculture or barren land worth Rs50,000 to Rs1 million per kanal depending on the location.
He invested another Rs600,000 and Rs1 million depending on the quality of development – underground electric cables and gas connections to mention some of the facilities.
“And then, he sells that one kanal on more than 100 per cent profit roughly – Rs6 million and Rs7 million and above,” the official said, adding how the only source of revenue for the civic authority in converting the useless land into prime residential property was the meager Rs8,000 in scrutiny fees.
Most of the private housing societies approved by the CDA and issued no objection certificates in all the five zones have spread across thousands of kanals.
Spread on 836 kanals, the Bahria Enclave has nearly 600 residential plots. Paradise City in Sector F-17 is spread over 2,453 kanals and is selling 2,137 residential plots carved out of barren land.