Sailing club’s construction was expedited after CDA notice, IHC told

Published September 20, 2020
IHC chief justice extended the stay in both the cases — navy club and naval farms — till September 26. — Photo courtesy: Navy Sailing Club FB page
IHC chief justice extended the stay in both the cases — navy club and naval farms — till September 26. — Photo courtesy: Navy Sailing Club FB page

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Amir Ahmed Ali on Saturday informed Islamabad High Court (IHC) that naval authorities expedited the construction of a sailing club after the civic agency issued them a notice.

Mr Ali appeared before the court to explain actions taken by the civic agency against the ‘illegal’ construction of the club along the bank of Rawal Lake.

He told the court that the sailing club was established several years ago but the structure has been changed in the recent past. According to him, the sailing club was constructed in 1992-93 but previously its structure was different.

He said while the construction and renovation of the naval club was under process, the civic agency issued notices to its management. However, they completed the work at a fast pace.

The CDA chairman also acknowledged anomalies in the allotment of the land and construction of the naval club.

The naval chief has already submitted a report to the court. The report clarified that the matter related to the National Water Sports Centre (NWSC) which is “neither a club in the traditional sense nor is it a commercial enterprise.” It was established on the directive issued by the federal government.

The report said: “Chief of the Naval Staff was appointed, ex officio, patron-in-chief of all Water Sports in Pakistan including yachting, rowing, water skiing and canoeing. It was further directed that Water Sports Centers be developed at the following locations: Kunhar River (between Garhi Habibullah/Balakot), Tarbela Lake and Rawal Lake (subject to the report to be submitted by the consultant on environmental impact of water related sports in the Rawal Lake as per decision of the Inter-Ministerial meeting chaired by the Minister for Environment/Urban Affairs on September 22, 1992).”

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah also took up a case related to the naval farms. He extended the stay in both the cases — navy club and naval farms — till September 26 and adjourned the hearing till that date.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...