ISLAMABAD: The city managers on Tuesday decided that subdivision of agro farms would not be allowed in any scheme of the Capital Development Authority. They also decided to establish a covered market in Islamabad.

The CDA board, which met with Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa in the chair, approved some amendments to the building control regulations, barring subdivision of agro farms. The board said subdivision of agro forms was against the spirit of their allotments.

The meeting was told that in the building control regulations 2020 there was no provision of subdivision of agro farms but later some bylaws were amended but the clause related to agro farms was not changed.

However, in revised bylaws this clause too was showed as amended in August 2023, causing confusion among various wings of the CDA.

The board stated that there was no provision of subdivision of agro farms. It also ordered an inquiry into the matter.

Proposals sought to select sites for re-establishment of covered market in capital city

It is relevant to note that majority of the agro-farm owners, instead of producing agricultural products, have built palatial houses on the land allotted to them. The CDA so far has failed to get required production of agri products from occupiers to meet the need of the city.

On the other hand, the CDA, on many occasions in the past, made announcements to start action against violators of the agro-farm scheme but could not translate the announcements into reality.

According to the CDA record, 539 farms were supposed to cultivate fruits and vegetables to meet the needs of residents of the city but these farms have been turned into palatial houses by their owners.

The farms are located in various areas such as Chak Shahzad, Kahuta Road, Murree Road, Tarlai Kalan, Sehana and H-9.

A couple of years ago, the CDA announced that it had completed preparations “for a mega operation against agro-farms which were not producing products in accordance with their allotment letters.”

However, the civic body backtracked from its announcement.

In the 70s, when the CDA started allotting farmhouses the allowed covered area was 2,500 square feet. But with the passage of time, the civic agency kept increasing the size and currently 9,500 sq ft covered area is legally allowed plus 3000 sq ft extra construction with fine.

Sources said agro-farms were sold out to influential people of the country who had been paying no heed to fulfill the requirements of residents of the federal capital by providing them fresh vegetables, fruits and poultry products.

Meanwhile, the CDA board also discussed the revival of Covered Market. The signature Covered Market namely Siraj Covered Bazaar was located in G-6. It was a leased property.

During Musharraf regime, the owners of the market demolished the market for rebuilding it and also got approval from the CDA for enhancing the covered area and number of storeys. However, residents of the area filed a court case that forced the CDA to withdraw the approval of enhanced covered area.

Meanwhile, due to issues among the leaseholders the market could not be rebuilt.

On the other hand, the CDA board decided that a new covered market should be constructed anywhere in Islamabad. Three proposals were discussed. It was proposed that the new market should be constructed near H-9 Sunday bazaar, near G-6 Sunday bazaar or in F-7.

However, the board directed the CDA to explore more options to be discussed in the next meeting.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the CDA said the board also decided that processing fees deposited by overseas Pakistanis for Nilor Heights Housing project would be fully refunded. The board also decided that plots in C-14 would be allocated through balloting. It was also decided that overseas Pakistanis will be given priority in C-14.

The board also approved the constitution of a seven-member committee which will scrutinise cases submitted by the affected people of Islamabad to the civic agency.

The committee’s recommendations would be validated through a third party. Rehabilitation benefits will be granted to affected people on the recommendations of the committee.

The board also approved the formation of a committee, comprising the member admin and the DC Islamabad, to amend the land acquisition regulations.

The board also approved the appointment of a new legal adviser for the authority. It was decided that in future no legal adviser would represent any case against the CDA for one year after leaving the civic agency.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2024