ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has served a notice to the Pakistan Navy Sailing Club for its illegal and unauthorised construction.

According to the notice, which was sent by the CDA’s building control section and is available with Dawn, the Pakistan Navy Sailing Club has been directed to immediately stop illegal and unauthorised construction of the club building.

“It has once again come to the notice of the authority that illegal construction activities have been resumed and the club has been made functional. This is sheer violation of CDA [by-laws] which needs to be halted immediately,” it says.

“You are directed to immediately stop the illegal/unauthorised construction work and functional activities of Pakistan Navy Sailing Club. It may be noted that if you fail to comply, CDA will take action regarding removal/demolition of illegal/unauthorised structure forcefully at your risk and cost,” the notice added.

Environmentalist Dr Mohammad Irfan Khan told Dawn that Rawal Lake, a reservoir for drinking water, should not be used for such activities.

“Moreover, such projects cannot be established with social and environmental impact assessments. It is in sheer violation of section 12 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, the Pak-EPA Review of Initial Environmental Examination and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2000,” he said.

Dr Irfan added that Rawal Dam may be called a dam, but it is not like Tarbela or Mangla Dam. The water in the lake is used for drinking, and according to Supreme Court orders even motorboats are prohibited in the reservoir.

A senior Pakistan Navy official who asked not to be named said that the navy will respond after deliberations, but added that the sailing club has been operational since the 1990s. He said divers are trained at the sailing club and take part in rescue operations in the northern areas and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as this is the only such facility in the north of the country.

He said the club also received a notice from the CDA last September, and told the authority in response that the construction was being carried out to upgrade the facility. The official said they are planning to hold sailing competitions and a tournament in the coming months.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...