ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Mayor Shaikh Anser Aziz on Tuesday formed a committee to investigate the issue of illegally constructed buildings in the city. The announcement came after both treasury and opposition members of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) criticised the ban imposed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on the provision of gas and electricity connections to illegally constructed buildings. The 16th MCI meeting was held in Pak-China Friendship Centre, under the chairmanship of Shaikh Ansar Aziz. Deputy Mayor Zeeshan Ali Naqvi and Chaudhry Riffat Javed were also present. Chief MCI Officer Asad Mehboob Kiyani briefed the members in detail about the condition of obtaining a no objection certificate (NOC) for getting electricity, gas and other allied services. “In light of the CDA Ordinance 1960, orders and decisions of the federal cabinet, superior courts, standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been prepared to control illegal construction in the city. The purpose of these effective measures is to properly implement the building bylaws in the capital city,” he added. Members belonging to both opposition and treasury strongly criticised the condition and demanded its removal. While addressing the session, Deputy Mayor Syed Zeshan Naqvi questioned why the CDA had included the revenue estate of Shah Allah Ditta into Zone 3 even though it originally belonged to Zone 1. “Shah Allah Ditta area is located in Zone 1 as per CDA zoning regulations,” he said while addressing the MCI chief officer. Another member, Raja Zahid, also criticised the mayor for imposing a ban on getting utility connections. “The rate of electricity connections has risen after the ban was announced. New connections are still being provided by the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) staff after receiving heavy bribes,” he said. Responding to the criticism, Mayor Shaikh Anser Aziz said that the CDA had to learn from its past mistakes. “All efforts will be made to make Islamabad a model city,” he said. “In light of the orders issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Islamabad High Court, we have to move forward and take strict measures for implementation of the building bylaws in the city,” he said. He said that democracy allowed people to have different views. “More debate on such issues means better and effective results,” he said. Aziz approved the formation of a committee in the light of suggestions by the MCI members. The committee will submit its recommendations in a week about the elimination of illegal construction activities and hurdles in issuance of NOC for provision of electricity and gas facility to the residential and commercial buildings. Published in Daily Times, October 18th 2017.