ISLAMABAD: Following the federal cabinet’s directive on Tuesday, all stakeholders are likely to hold an on-spot meeting on Wednesday (today) to discuss modalities to remove encroachments from Margalla Road.

A participant of the cabinet meeting told Dawn that it was briefed regarding the encroachments on Margalla Road and a greenbelt in portions of E-9 and E-8.

The cabinet was told that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had already completed its paperwork and even issued final notices to concerned departments for removal of the encroachments.

Sources in the federal government said the cabinet directed the CDA and the concerned departments to remove the encroachments within a few days and present a report before the cabinet in its next meeting.

Stakeholders likely to hold on-spot meeting to discuss modalities today

They said an on-spot meeting had been planned on Wednesday (today), which will be attended by all stakeholders.

The sources said the federal government and the CDA did not want to launch an operation rather would make all-out efforts to convince the concerned departments to remove the encroachments themselves. They said in case the departments do not remove the encroachments, an operation will be conducted as a last option. The issue regarding encroachments on the road were taken up in the federal cabinet at a few earlier meetings in which the members were of the view that these should be removed as motorists were facing hardship while travelling on the road.

In August, the cabinet was briefed that not only Margalla Road but its service roads North, South and East had also been occupied in E-8 and many buildings in the sector had been built without approval from the CDA.

In E-9, service roads North, South and East are also encroached and many buildings in this sector have also been built without approval of their building plans from the CDA.

Meanwhile, the cabinet approved an amendment to section 15 of CDA Ordinance 1960, allowing the civic agency to carry out public-private partnership.

In the past, the CDA had launched the E-11 project under a public-private partnership which was struck down by the Supreme Court, terming it against rules and the ordinance.

The sources said the cabinet approval would be a temporary relief for the CDA for a maximum of 120 days. For a permanent amendment, the government will have to get the ordinance amended from parliament.

In a press release after the cabinet meeting, the government said CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed briefed the cabinet on the encroachments on Margalla Road. Prime Minister Imran Khan said law was equal for all.

The press release said the defence ministry assured of its full cooperation regarding implementation of the cabinet decision. It also said the cabinet approved an amendment to the CDA ordinance for promotion of public-private partnership.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2020