Tag: Illegal buildings

  • Lahore Development Authority seals illegal commercial buildings

    Lahore Development Authority seals illegal commercial buildings

    On Thursday, the LDA’s Town Planning Wing carried out a massive operation against unpaid commercial fees and illegal commercial activity throughout the city.

    LDA DG Chaudhry Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who directed the operation, stated that illegal construction and commercial activity would not be tolerated and that action would be taken against them.

    The operation on Thursday involved sealing off illegal and unapproved commercial buildings and business centres in the neighbourhoods of Gulshan Ravi, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, and LDA-controlled areas.

    According to chief town planner Shakeel Anjum Minhas, legal notices have already been sent to the building owners, directing them to correct the irregularities. He stated that “action will be taken against the buildings if the LDA notices are not implemented” and threatened to seal any structures that did not stop any illegal activity or respond to the notice.

    Director Shafqat Niaz Kang and Chief Town Planner Shakeel Anjum Minhas oversaw the operation. The Enforcement Wing and a large police presence were also present during the operation.

    Two officers were appointed and transferred as a result of LDA DG’s orders. While Assistant Director Muhammad Haris Ali, who was a Deputy Director in the Town Planning Wing, was posted to the Directorate of State Management (Private Housing Schemes) at his own pay scale, Assistant Director Tayyab Ali was appointed in the Directorate of State Management (Private Housing Schemes) at the Chief Town Planner LDA’s discretion.

  • ‘Demolish illegal buildings’: Court orders sealing Navy’s elite sailing club

    ‘Demolish illegal buildings’: Court orders sealing Navy’s elite sailing club

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) administration to seal the newly-constructed Navy Sailing Club, declaring the sports complex’s construction illegal.

    Two weeks ago, the CDA had served a notice to the navy for its allegedly illegal and unauthorised construction of the club and directed to immediately stop the construction of the building.

    During the hearing on Thursday, a board member told the court that the CDA had not issued any allotment letter for the land in question. To which, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked if the authority had taken any action to halt the construction. “We had issued notices to the Navy,” the CDA representative informed the judge.

    “What do you mean ‘you issued notices’,” asked Justice Minallah. “Demolish the illegal buildings,” he said.

    READ: Islamabad admin at odds with Navy over construction of elite sailing club

    Last week, the navy had clarified that the land in question was, in fact, allotted to it in 1994 for the development of a water sports centre. A statement issued at the time had asserted that navy divers are trained at the club who, then, take part in rescue operations in all four provinces and the federally administrative units, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as the club is the only such facility in the north of the country.

    Citing a 1994 order of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the CDA official informed the court that the permission to build the sports facility was granted by prime minister of the day, Benazir Bhutto.

    However, the judge ordered the CDA to seal the facility before the next hearing, saying in case the authority fails to comply, the court will summon Cabinet Secretary Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera. He also directed the issue to be presented before the cabinet.

    The judge wondered if the flagship military project was supported by any legal provision providing space for a purportedly commercial project.

    When a Pakistan Navy representative, who was present in the court, sought time to submit a response, Justice Minallah asked what did the navy need time for. “We respect you, appreciate your sacrifices and honour your martyrs but an illegal construction isn’t allowed,” he said.

    “Why are you defending something which is indefensible [according to relevant laws],” he questioned.

    “Islamabad is the country’s capital, not a tribal area. No one is above the law. Not even this court.”