ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to remove encroachments from the commercial areas of the city within a week.
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui heard the proceedings of the case. The petitioner, Advocate Jehangir Khan Jadoon, adopted before the court that there had been massive encroachments in all markets causing difficulties for commuters.
The Director Enforcement CDA appeared before the court and told IHC that CDA has imposed about Rs 2 million in term of fine on the encroachers in various drives against encroachments in the city.
Jawad Nazir who is counsel of the CDA told the court that the civic agency’s enforcement directorate and the anti-encroachment department had been removing encroachments.
He said the CDA has faced numerous problems during anti-encroachment drives as trader unions sometimes tried to register cases against the CDA staff and also assaulted them.
Encroachers have covered parking areas and public places while the CDA was not launching any effective action against them.
The petitioner requested the court to direct the respondents to clean public places like pavements in markets and parking places from encroachments.
Then IHC also ordered removal of encroachments established in the shape of sitting areas, driveways and private food outlets from different commercial centers.
Meanwhile, Citizens of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and affiliated rural areas have demanded Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and concerned officials to act against uncleanliness and encroachment. Lawyers, businessmen and locals of Aabpara, sector F-8, Super market, Faizabad, Barakahu, Shamsabad, Shahzad town, and Rawal town have stated that the noticeable problems of unhygienic conditions and encroachment prevail in important trade centres, markets, avenues, wagon stands and rural localities.
According to them encroachers have established kiosks, stalls, shops and bazaars on footpaths and roads without the fear of punishment. The state of affairs has not only spoiled natural beauty of the city but has also affected the smooth running of traffic.
In addition, heaps of garbage present at different places in the city give way to the nourishment of mosquitoes and flies, and can lead to fatal diseases.
All this displays the lack of civic sense, violation of civic rules, negligence and indifference of the officials responsible, which has grown concerns among the general public.
They asked the CDA authorities to take appropriate action to bring a positive change and suggested them to review the performance of its personnel.