ISLAMABAD: The illegal construction of eight high rise residential and commercial complexes in sector E-11 of Islamabad came under discussion in the senate on a motion moved by Senator Farhatullah Babar with senators demanding to expose the powerful elements behind the scam.
He said that the Islamabad High Court had through two verdicts directed that the illegal construction activity be stopped but the capital’s civic body and the ICT administration had failed to stop it because of the power and influence of those involved.
Today’s motion arose in the backdrop of admission last week by the CDA in reply to a senate question that the high rise buildings in E-11 were illegal.
Farhatullah Babar quoted from court verdicts directing the CDA to stop construction work and to ensure that no further construction is under taken without a formal permission or NOC.
Refuting the claim that the E-11 fell under exempt area he said that the court had also observed that none of the private respondents have been able to produce any documents or instrument in support of the claim that the area falls outside the jurisdiction of CDA or is exempt.
He said that the CDA, the ICT and all relevant state authorities had failed to stop the illegal constructions despite court orders and admission by the civic body that it was an illegal activity.
He said that last month the residents of E-11 sector were on road protesting against illegal construction in their vicinity that had threatened the environment as well overshadowed their houses.
He called for inquiry to expose the elements behind this brazen violation of the court orders and continuation of illegal construction activity that had threatened the environment.
Opposition senators also staged a token walk out in protest against the government’s ambivalence. NNI