Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has declared the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan in Bani Gala unauthorised and illegal.

A report in this regard has been submitted by the CDA in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It states that 122 buildings have constructed illegally in the area of Bani Gala. The list of illegal buildings also includes Khan’s sprawling house in Bani Gala.

Earlier, Imran Khan had sought SC’s intervention in – what he termed – increasing illegal commercialisation in the area. He had written a letter to the chief justice of Pakistan to draw his attention towards the “municipal lawlessness” in the area, but he forgot that he himself lacked a legal cover for his residence situated in Margalla Hills National Park Area. This area is part of Zone-3 of the Islamabad Capital Territory.

The matter had been first highlighted by an investigation carried out by Daily Times. It revealed that Imran Khan had himself violated CDA by-laws while constructing his house in Bani Gala.

Khan had constructed his residence spread over a piece of land measuring 300 kanals and five marlas situated in Village Mohra Noor by violating two by laws: the Islamabad Wildlife (PPC&M) Ordinance, 1979 and the Islamabad Capital Territory (Zoning) Regulations 1992.

PTI’s spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry and Imran Khan both earlier stated that they had obtained permission for the construction of the house from UC Mohra Noor. However, any such approval issued by respective UC to anyone has no legal value in Zone-III of Islamabad as per prevailing laws.

The PTI chairman has also failed to show a copy of the said approval so far to the media.

When contacting by Daily Times, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry refused to comment on the development citing prior engagements.