ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) board on Friday approved allotment of a plot for construction of the child protection institute in H-11/4.

The CDA board, which met with the authority’s chairman, retired Capt Mohammad Usman, in the chair, besides various agenda items, took up the issue of allotment of plots, on the request of Ministry of Human Rights. The ministry will construct and run the said institute.

Sources said establishment of this protection institute was a noble cause, therefore, they approved the summary of allotting a plot measuring around eight kanals in H-11/4. Earlier, board members were also told that setting up the said institute is mandatory under the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Protection Act, 2018.

The institute will provide protection and rehabilitation services to vulnerable children and survivors of child abuse within Islamabad in consultation and coordination with all relevant stakeholders. Sources said there were 18 agenda items in the meeting including some lengthy summaries such as amendments to zoning regulations and proposed bylaws for agro farms.

Centre to rehabilitate vulnerable children

However, the board meeting could discuss only a few agenda items and it was decided that the remaining issues would be taken up on Monday. The CDA board on Monday will also discuss amendments to Zoning Regulations 1992 regarding Zone-III of Islamabad. Islamabad has five zones and except this zone which includes the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) and private land, construction is allowed.

The Zone-III comprises of 50,000 acres of land out of which 20,000 acres is private land. However, the CDA is neither acquiring it nor regulating construction activities on private land.

The CDA board took up the said summary of the Planning Wing in its last meeting as well but after slight discussion deferred it for getting more input on this subject.

CDA officials Dawn spoke to said commercial activities and housing projects should not be allowed in this zone to protect the natural green character of Islamabad and CDA should regulate and allow planned construction of small houses on private land.

Other than the national park, this zone comprises of old villages that are located in the hills and some outside the hills, such as a portion of Banigala, Lakhwal, Saidpur, Malpur, Bhara Kahu, Kot Hathial, Shah Allah Ditta, Sangjani and anything within a 2 kilometre radius of Rawal Dam.

However, officials said that changes should be made to zoning regulations of 1992 to regulate construction on private land in the said zone, as this is sheer injustice that CDA is neither allowing construction and nor regulating construction on private land. However, they said that while making amendments, CDA should keep in mind that only locals should be allowed to construct planned houses, instead of commercial ventures and housing schemes.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2022