Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is wasting its time on non-issues as recently it has asked the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to allocate a plot number “One Constitution Avenue” to its building situated on the main Constitution Avenue.

The Foreign Office is located in a building constructed on plot number 20 in Sector G-5/4, which was previously a private hotel named Shehrzad Hotel.

Instead of paying attention on the complex issues of international relations, MOFA is pressing the civic body for the allocation of plot number “One-Constitution” even after five decades of the construction of its building. Initially, a Director General (HQs & Finance) of MOFA, Shujjat Ali Rathore, approached the CDA and made a request mentioned above by arguing that the foreign office building was one of the oldest buildings at the Constitution Avenue, but the civic body had allocated the plot number ‘1-Constituion’ to a private party, which was constructing a high rise building near the convention centre, which was totally unjustified so the plot number ‘1-Constituion avenue’ must be allocated to the Foreign Office building.

In response, the planning wing of the CDA conveyed that the plot number 1 in Sector G-5 cannot be granted to MOFA’s building as it had already been allocated to the Federal Lodges.

However, not only did Mr. Shujjat Ali Rathore write a letter to the CDA again, but the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatimi, also sent a separate letter to the Minister of State for CADD Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. They contested; “Though the authority has already allocated plot number 1 to the Federal Lodges, but it is not situated on Constitution Avenue and it is located on Khayaban-e-Suharwardi”.

Mr. Fatimi’s letter stated; “An under-construction multi storey commercial complex is using the mailing address: “One Constitution Avenue”, even though it is not located on the Constitution Avenue. The using of this mailing address is wrong and misleading. Nevertheless, by using this, it is enhancing its commercial value.” It is pertinent to mention that the Grand Hayat Hotel site was never allocated a plot number “One Constitution”, as in papers it is only “a hotel plot adjacent to the Convention Centre”. An officer of the authority briefed: “The CDA cannot allot the plot number 1 to the foreign office building as for doing this we have to change the entire sequence of plot numbering in the sector, which is impossible.” Daily Times sent some specific questions to the MOFA, which were responded by its Spokesperson Mr. Nafees Zakria, but most of the questions were avoided in his reply.

Q-1: What is the core reason behind seeking plot number “1-Constitution Avenue”?

Ans-1: The Foreign Office was the first structure constructed on the Constitution Avenue in the early sixties. At present, it is the first building located on the Constitution Avenue.

Q-2: What will be the benefits for the state, in case of the allocation of the said plot number and what will be the losses in the case, the same will not be allocated for the foreign office building?

Ans2: No reply

Q-3: Why Mr. Fatami is now taking this matter. Were his predecessors not informed about this matter or they committed negligence?

Ans-4: No reply

Q-4: Why the MOFA did not object, when the plot “1 constitution avenue” was auctioned publicly?

Ans-4: No reply

Q-5: Whether it is true, that the current building of MOFA is situated on a plot which was originally allotted to a private hotel named Shehrzad Hotel.

Ans-5: Ministry of Foreign Affairs is housed in the former Shehrzad Hotel.

Q-6: Is it in the knowledge of MOFA that the change in plot number can provide a solid reason to the current owners of plot no “1-Constituion Avenue” to drag the civic body in the courts as they are quite habitual of doing the same?

Ans-6: No reply

However, the Member Planning and Design, Asad Mehboob Kiani, confirmed that the matter was under consideration and said: “We are examining each and every point of this request and soon the authority will decide about it.”