Tag: CDA

  • IHC orders CDA to de-seal PTI office in Islamabad

    IHC orders CDA to de-seal PTI office in Islamabad

    Providing yet another relief to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday has ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to de-seal the party’s Central Secretariat.

    Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz said in a six-page written order, “CDA may take action strictly by the law in case of any non-conformity or violation of the applicable laws.”

    Furthermore, the order stated that the CDA had issued a show-cause notice to the previous owner in 2022 and 2023 but without providing an explanation.

    It also said that the CDA did not issue a prior notice to the PTI before sealing its office, a claim supported by the party leaders.

    PTI moved the IHC seeking its order to de-seal its central secretariat in Islamabad after the CDA had demolished a portion of the building.

  • CDA demolishes PTI central secretariat in Islamabad over ‘violation’

    CDA demolishes PTI central secretariat in Islamabad over ‘violation’

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) in a Thursday late-night raid demolished a portion of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Central Secretariat in Islamabad over a “violation of building rules”.

    According to CDA, an anti-encroachment operation was launched around 11:30 PM last night and lasted around an hour.

    The CDA stated illegal construction was incorporated into the building and an additional floor was also constructed on the plot in violation of the building rules.

    As the operation was underway last night, PTI leadership called upon its workers to immediately arrive at the location, stating that the government’s actions were “illegal”.

    The CDA claimed it had sent reminders to the party previously, however, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan shot down the claims and said that they did not receive any orders from the CDA.

    PTI leadership strongly condemned the actions by the CDA and even drew parallels to the onslaught taking place in Gaza by Israel.

  • SIFC approves construction of largest IT park in federal capital

    SIFC approves construction of largest IT park in federal capital

    The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has approved the establishment of Pakistan’s largest IT park in the G-10 sector of the federal capital, covering an expansive area of 3.3 acres.

    This development follows the decision by the Capital Development Authority Board earlier this month to undertake the construction of the IT park in Islamabad.

    According to APP, negotiations are currently underway with key stakeholders, such as the Pakistan Software Export Board and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, to ensure the successful execution of the IT Park project.

    Operating under a public-private partnership framework, the project aims to become a hub of technological advancement, offering a wide range of facilities aimed at nurturing creativity and entrepreneurship.

    The IT Park will feature a state-of-the-art research centre, a well-stocked library, software houses, conference rooms, dedicated workspaces for freelancers and startups, and an exhibition area for showcasing cutting-edge IT products.

    Approximately 6,000 freelancers are expected to benefit from access to these top-notch facilities, empowering them to make significant contributions to Pakistan’s economic landscape through the provision of e-services.

    The construction of this IT hub will be financed through collaboration with private IT companies, which will also lease office spaces within the premises.

  • ‘World’s largest aviary’ approved by CDA…is this really necessary?

    ‘World’s largest aviary’ approved by CDA…is this really necessary?

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved plans for the construction of the world’s biggest aviary in Islamabad’s F-9 Park. The structure has been planned to span over an area of at least 10 acres.

    The decision was taken during a meeting of the CDA board, chaired by the authority’s chairman, Noorul Amin Mengal, on Tuesday, Dawn reports.

    The decision was announced on CDA’s official Twitter account. In their announcement, they said birds from all over the world will be bred in the aviary, and it will be built through an ‘open auction’ pertaining to design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT). 

    Using this strategy, the project is said to be carried out to the highest standards, while putting a strong emphasis on sustainability and long-term operation. 

    The CDA has yet to release further details about the project, including the expected completion date and the species of bird that are to be housed in the aviary.

    The announcement has generated significant interest on social media, with many users expressing their excitement and anticipation for the completion of the project.

    The project is reportedly one of CDA’s initiatives to support biodiversity and develop distinctive public leisure areas. However, users on Twitter called out CDA’s failed bird zoo in Lake View Park, another big project CDA hired a contractor to invest in.

    According to one Twitter user, the birds are kept in dismal conditions, with larger species such as eagles and owls being kept in cramped cages. He also points to how the contractor CDA hired is now “occupying the facility and generating revenue without any formal contract”, as stated in the report by the Auditor General of Pakistan.

    Considering Pakistan’s general history with keeping animals in enclosures (read: tales often ending in misery and death), one can’t help but wonder: is this the right step towards biodiversity and sustainability?

    As one Twitter user put it:

  • Senator Sherry Rehman schools CDA Chairman on Twitter

    Senator Sherry Rehman schools CDA Chairman on Twitter

    Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman is not one to hold back when it comes to calling out audacious ideas. Earlier this week, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Noor Ul Amin Mengal tweeted a suggestion for alleviating traffic congestion on the road to Daman e Koh and Peer Sohawa on Margalla Hills. He pondered planning a road from Peer Sohawa to Barri Imam and 3rd Avenue to make it a loop to facilitate traffic movement.

    Rehman clapped back today, reminding the Chairman of his domain of authority:

    Correcting the Chairman, Rehman stated that planning infrastructure through a Wildlife Board-protected green area is not under the CDA’s domain of authority. She reiterated that the plan is against Pakistan’s existing wildlife laws and goes against the country’s international commitments to preventing climate change. 

    Other Twitter users also chimed in with their opinions:

    Many users supported Rehman’s sharp response:

    Pakistan’s climate promise

    As part of UNDP’s Climate Promise, Pakistan intends to set a cumulative ambitious conditional target of an overall 50% reduction of its projected emissions by 2030, with a 15% reduction from the country’s own resources and a 35% reduction subjected to the provision of international grant finance.

    Cutting down trees in order to build concrete infrastructure stands decidedly against Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the Climate Promise.

  • CDA directs evacuation of Islamabad high-rise buildings affected by earthquake

    CDA directs evacuation of Islamabad high-rise buildings affected by earthquake

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has instructed the owners of high-rise buildings affected by a recent earthquake to evacuate their buildings until they receive a fitness certificate from certified firms.

    The Building Control Agency of the CDA has identified minor cracks in 10 high-rise buildings in Islamabad due to the recent earthquake of high intensity. Following the directives of the CDA Chairman, the Building Control Agency conducted a survey of 90 high-rise buildings and found that the structure of 80 buildings was safe, while minor cracks were found in 10 buildings.

    The owners of the affected buildings have been directed to repair their buildings or obtain a fitness certificate from a firm certified by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) regarding the strength of their structure and submit it to the CDA. In addition, a third-party attestation will also be required.

    Meanwhile, the CDA Chairman has directed the management of private housing societies to conduct a survey of buildings on their premises and submit a report to the CDA’s Building Control Agency within three days.

    The residents of the apartments in the affected buildings have also requested alternate accommodation during the period of repair. They have stated that during the month of Ramadan, it would be difficult for them to move along with furniture.

  • Islamabad to soon get electric buses

    Islamabad to soon get electric buses

    Electric buses for intra-city travel will shortly be introduced by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Electric buses will be used on six distinct public transportation lines, according to CDA authorities. The department will also make room for bus charging stations.

    CDA will open the tender for bus consultancy on 12th October. By the end of December, the first shipment of electric buses will arrive in Islamabad. Three e-bus base stations will be built by CDA.

    The introduction of electric buses has been a recent priority for CDA. The government started testing these buses in the Twin Cities, and now the project might soon see a concrete follow-up.

    Capt. (Ret.) Usman Younis, CDA Chairman, said that the first phase will involve the provision of transportation on six congested roads. The administration would purchase buses for seven more routes in the second phase, he added.

  • Offices of illegal housing society sealed by CDA

    Offices of illegal housing society sealed by CDA

    The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Planning Wing sealed the management offices of an illegal housing society along the Islamabad Expressway on Thursday, preventing the sale, acquisition, and transfer of plots.

    Since neither the layout design for this housing society was approved nor the management received an NoC, the planning division of the CDA has already declared all stages of this housing society to be illegal.

    Along with physically shutting the office, CDA’s Director of Regional Planning also issued a letter in this regard, according to The News.

    According to the letter, despite warnings about the housing society’s management’s illegal behaviour, the management proceeded to sell and transfer plots, which prompted the authorities to take enforcement action.

    Due to violations of the CDA Ordinance 1960, ICT Zoning Regulations 1992, and ICT Building Control Regulations 2020, the housing society’s offices have been sealed.

    The PTCL, Islamabad Electric Supply Company, and Sui Gas Northern Gas Company have also been advised by the CDA planning wing not to offer their services during all stages of the private housing society.

    A dozen unauthorised housing societies in the Rawalpindi district were also sent notifications by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) in a similar development.

    New Metro City, Smart City, Prism Town, Capital Valley, Life Residencia, Seven Enclave, Manan City, Lake View City, Faha Fatima, Park Zameen Town, Hawks Melbourne City, and Kashmir Valley have all received notices from RDA’s Metropolitan Planning and Traffic Engineering (MPTE) Directorate.

    The Punjab Private Housing Schemes and Land Subdivision Rules 2010 were used to issue the notices. These societies have been requested by the RDA to produce mortgage deeds, surrender deeds, and NOCs. Otherwise, they will be the target of legal action.

  • CDA launches helpline to address sanitation problems

    CDA launches helpline to address sanitation problems

    A helpline and WhatsApp number have been provided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for reporting issues with cleanliness in the federal capital.

    Residents are urged to voice their complaints to 1334 or over WhatsApp at 0335-5001213. The helpline was set up to guarantee swift settlement of grievances and city cleanliness.

    The following civic agency phone lines may also be used to report complaints regarding the removal of animal waste: 051 9213908, 051 9203216, 051 9223171, and 051 9211555.

    Tractor trolleys, garbage compactors, escape lifters, truck dumpers, front loaders, shovels, and dozers were used together with more than 200 vehicles and over 2,000 sanitation workers to perform cleaning tasks.

    The sanitation team of CDA was clearing the animal waste by going door to door. Even after Eid-ul-Azha’s second day, the operation to clean the capital continued.

  • Islamabad Traffic Police intensifies crackdown against wrong parking

    The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) recently fined numerous motorists for wrong parking in order to maintain a smooth flow of traffic in the federal capital.

    The SSP Traffic Syed Mustafa Tanveer instructed all Zonal DSPs to guarantee traffic law enforcement through a courteous attitude toward citizens. He advised that motorists should be treated equally and informed officials about traffic laws.

    Furthermore, the SSP Traffic asserted that only pedestrians had the right to use the footpath and that no parking would be permitted there. He was of the view that vehicles should be parked in designated areas of shopping malls while an awareness campaign to educate citizens visiting the malls was underway.

    The number of vehicles in the federal capital has increased drastically in recent years, impeding transportation.

    Tanveer stated that it is our prime concern to guarantee the comfort of road users by preserving traffic discipline, and that every effort will be made to that end.