IHC adds CDA as respondent in case against New Blue Area parking fee

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday directed that the Capital Development Authority be made a respondent in a petition challenging the collection of parking charges in the New Blue Area and sought written replies from the authorities concerned.

Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Mohammad Tayyab, who was represented by Advocates Hazrat Younas and others. During the proceedings, Municipal Corporation Islamabad Chief Officer Anam Fatima appeared before the court, while Advocate Kashif Ali Malik represented the civic body.

The MCI defended the fee collection mechanism before the court. Its counsel said the charges were being collected under the CDA Parking Regulations, 2023, which he said had been approved by the CDA Board. He argued that, contrary to claims circulating in some media reports, the charges were not being imposed for the use of a public road.

According to the MCI’s lawyer, the location in question is a designated parking facility shown in the New Blue Area Layout Plan and is part of CDA-owned land reserved for parking. He further submitted that no fee was being charged from motorists dropping off passengers, vehicles parked for less than 20 minutes, or owners and occupiers of properties in the area who had been issued parking passes.

The court observed that although the policy had been framed by the CDA, the actual collection of parking charges was being carried out through the MCI. Justice Tahir also questioned the municipal authority’s concern over the petition and remarked: "We have not even granted a stay order. Why are you so concerned?"

Counsel for the petitioner, Advocate Hazrat Younas, asked the court to suspend the parking charges until the case is decided. He argued that there was no transparency regarding the use of the money collected through the parking fee system. He also contended that parking tickets at the site were being issued by a private contractor, which, he said, raised questions about the legality and administration of the arrangement.

After hearing both sides, the court ordered that the CDA be formally included in the proceedings and issued notices seeking its response. It also directed all respondents to file detailed written replies addressing the issues raised in the petition.

The hearing was adjourned until June 29.