ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: Property owners at F-8 Markaz raised objections over the kiosks illegally established by the lawyers and said the move was leading to a sharp decline in the value of commercial property there.

They complained that rental and sale value of property has dropped drastically due to the illegal occupation by the lawyers while the CDA rates are the same as that in F-6 ad F-7 Markaz.

“It is high time for courts to be shifted from centre of the posh residential sector”, they demanded in a meeting with the office bearers of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). They said that lease renewal rates of plazas in F-8 Markaz are at par with F-6 and F-7 Markaz which is not fair and the CDA should amend the rates.

“The owners of property are suffering for the last more than 20 years, and the CDA has to review the rates charged to the landlords of F-8 Markaz,” said a member of the delegation.

President ICCI, Yassar Sakhi Butt, was of the view that traffic nuisance, waste mismanagement and chocked sewerage had become hallmark of the area as well as the entire residential community was facing high security risk.

“Customers find it difficult to approach the market due to placement of wires surrounding the court premises”, he explained. He emphasised the shifting of courts from the area and urged the CDA and other concerned bodies to finalise the shifting plan.