ISLAMABAD: Struggling to resolve strategic differences in their relationship, the Foreign Office and the US embassy are now pitched in a fight over parking lots.

Islamabad’s main civic agency — Capital Development Authority — has been forced to get the construction work on a temporary parking lot for the embassy halted on the pretext that the agreement permitting its setting up was not beingfollowed.

The US embassy is not ready to budge on its plans to establish a temporary parking lot measuring about 11,000 square yards in the diplomatic enclave.

The CDA had in April granted permission to the embassy for the parking lot, which some quarters claim was done without taking the Foreign Office into loop. However, the move was definitely without the blessings of the ‘security agencies’.

The agreement for the ‘temporary parking area’ was for five years, which could be further extended.

The Foreign Office, through a letter, later asked the CDA to stop the establishment of the parking lot in the green belt (plantation area) of the diplomatic enclave, citing absence of approval by security agencies.

“The case regarding permission for establishment of temporary car parking … has been referred to security agencies for their views/comments. Capital Development Authority is requested not to proceed any further till views/comments are received in the matter,” an FO note addressed to the CDA Board secretary said.

It was clear that ‘security agencies’ had been incensed on being bypassed and wanted the process to be held up till they consented to it. At that time they did not press too much for blocking the construction of the parking area and the US embassy was successful in getting approval from the environment directorate for the cutting of trees at the site.

But after the CIA-ISI ties turned toxic following the May 2 US raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad and the subsequent maligning of Pakistani military and intelligence establishment, the parking lot became a victim of these developments.

Sometime towards the end of last month, the CDA came under enormous pressure to revoke the parking lot permission because of ‘procedural irregularities’ in granting it.

Unwillingly, the CDA high-ups tried to find an excuse behind unfulfilled terms and conditions of the permission for parking area given to the US embassy.

The embassy’s failure to get the landscaping plan for the site approved from the CDA before proceeding with construction came in handy at least for temporarily getting the work stopped.

US Embassy Spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said: “The temporary parking area, when completed, will comply with CDA’s guidelines for landscaping.” The comments clearly suggested that US embassy wanted to go ahead with the project despite the objections being raised.

The CDA, in the meantime, has sought “clear instructions” from the Foreign Office on what to do next.