ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz, who is also mayor of Islamabad, has illegally handed over the control of several parks and green plots located at prime locations in the federal capital to private parties in blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s (SC) orders.
Documents available with Pakistan Today suggest that the CDA chairman had allegedly misused his powers to handover the control of five valuable green areas to several influential business companies in the name of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative for beautification purposes. However, the move was not only an open violation of the SC verdict, but also went against the Islamabad High Court (IHC) order and the CDA’s own bylaws. The move, however, could also lead towards commencement of contempt of court proceedings if the matter was taken to the court by any citizen or company.
The sites handed over to the blue-eyed parties, included a park situated at the Constitution Avenue handed over to a renowned five star private hotel, green belt at corner of Jinnah Avenue handed over to Pakistan Gulf Construction Company, a roundabout near Zero Point handed to Riphah International University, another roundabout at F-10 and a roundabout at PTCL chowk handed over to Park Tower, and the median strip of sector G-8 had been handed to Max Health Hospital, in blatant violation of the apex court orders.
The apex court in its order stated that, “Parks are to be maintained by the CDA itself, essentially when a party makes an investment, even a meager one, it would make money by granting licenses and franchise for which it will enter into an agreement with local and international parties and the burden of the same is to be borne by the general public, in terms of tickets and amusement fee.”
The order further said that the parks and green areas were to be planned, developed and maintained by the CDA. In case any party, as part of corporate social responsibility, wanted to assist or help the CDA in developing any such area, then the same could be done under the supervision of the authority, and at all times, the control, management, and authority would rest with the CDA. No commercial or other activity could be undertaken in violation of the CDA Ordinance 1960, Land Disposal Regulations 2005, and Landscape Ordinance 1966, said the judgment available with Pakistan Today.
Similarly, the IHC also ordered the authority to withdraw all such permissions granted to the house/property owners for the beautification of adjacent plots/areas. Interestingly, the law wing of the authority also opposed the idea to handover the control of parks and green areas to the private companies while giving the reference of court orders.
It is important to mention here that earlier on October 7, the CDA chairman illegally inaugurated a park developed by a five star hotel and planted a sapling in an extensive ceremony where all diplomats were invited, including those belonging to Palestine, Cuba, Azerbaijan, Spain, Tunis, Russia and Poland.
