ISLAMABAD: In a major development, the city managers on Thursday, in principle, agreed to hand over municipal functions of two sectors of Islamabad to the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB).

Sources said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) board, which met with its chairman retired Captain Anwarul Haq in the chair, approved a summary to hand over the municipal functions of H-14 (complete) and H-13 (partially) to the RCB.

The sources said there was claim by RCB on several sectors of Islamabad that included I-12, G-13, G-13, H-13, H-15 and I-14. The RCB was of the view that these areas fell under its domain before the establishment of Islamabad. Therefore, they belonged to the civic agency in Rawalpindi.

“In 1961, while shifting the capital from Karachi to Islamabad, the federal government through an ordinance established the CDA as an institution and notified its municipal boundary limits. At that time, the boundaries of CDA transgressed into the areas of RCB by default.

Boundaries will not be changed, RCB could enforce its municipal bylaws in H-14 and in 20pc area of H-13

On the other hand, according to provisions of the Cantonments Act 1924, prior notification by the federal government was mandatory to alter the limits/boundaries of any cantonment. In the instant case of RCB, however, no such notification has been issued, read a brief from the RCB which was discussed at a meeting.

It said the disputed area involved about 2,509 acres and that survey sheets for 1964, 1977, 1980 and 1985 held with RCB showed that the area should be part of the board’s jurisdiction.

The brief added that the overlapping had led to jurisdictional issues and the filing of cases which were pending before in the high court and district courts of Islamabad. All the litigants have challenged the municipal limit of the RCB.

On the other hand, the CDA had been stating that after establishment of the federal capital, its boundary were finalised by then government in 1963; therefore, the areas belonged to Islamabad.

The sources said since 2017 a number of meetings were held between CDA and RCB and finally both the organisations reached a settlement and it was decided that the boundaries would not be changed.

However, the RCB could enforce its municipal bylaws in H-14 (whose major portion having army installations was already with the Defence Ministry) and on the 20pc area of H-13, which was located near the installations. It was also agreed that the RCB will not claim its ownership on these sectors.

The sources said the CDA board finally decided to refer the matter to the federal government for a final decision and also proposed several changes to the master plan of Islamabad related to the said sectors.

Meanwhile, the board also took up a summary on “allocation of plots for Special Investment Facilitation Council (SFIC)” for foreign direct investment.

In the summary, the CDA had presented details of 12 plots - seven commercial in F-8 portion of Blue Area and four for private hospitals in various areas.

The sources added that the CDA could not hand over its commercial plots to any other entity, however, the board could decide to dispose of plots amongst the pre-qualified parties. The board decided that two plots of hospitals and four commercial plots would be auctioned in collaboration with SIFC for direct foreign investment and federal government will also be taken on board.

Meanwhile, the board also approved a policy to allow selected commercial activity on rooftops of commercial buildings built on plots specifically allotted for restaurants.

The board agreed that rooftops of commercial and hotel buildings may be allowed to be used as dining areas along with some sports-related activities (Futsal, swimming pool, mini-golf, tennis, badminton). However, this shall be applicable to commercial (general) and hotel buildings in Marakiz and Blue Area only with certain conditions.

The board also approved a summary related to parking lots on a revenue-sharing basis with companies offering digital solutions.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2023