Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Three separate committees have been established to amend the Authority’s regulations after their through revision.

Each committee is designated to review and amend one regulation. The regulations to be amended include the Islamabad Land Disposal Regulations 2005, Islamabad Residential Sector (Building Control) Zoning Regulations 2005, Islamabad Capital Territory (Zoning) Regulations 1992. As far as the Islamabad Capital Territory (Zoning) Regulations 1992 are concerned, it divides the capital city into five zones and provides the details of acquired and un-acquired areas in addition to the strategies to develop these zones.

The Member Administration, Member Planning and Design, Director Urban Planning, an Advocate or CDA Counsel, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, DG and the Environment CDA, are the members of this committee. A member of this committee has briefed; “There is a need to change the zoning regulations as in most cases the existed regulations are contrary to ground realities.”

He further simplified; “The zoning regulations provide that a specific area is to be acquired by the CDA, but the Authority has failed to do so irrespective of reasons whatsoever. Now the question is that what is mistake of the local inhabitants whom land is bound is?” He added: “The Authority has to decide something categorical about these areas like G-12 and it is only possible by revising zoning regulations.”

The committee to amend the Islamabad Residential Sector (Building Control) Zoning Regulations 2005 includes Member Planning and Design, Director Urban Planning, Director Building Control Section, Director Estate Management as its members while a consultant lawyer and engineer will participate in the meeting on honorary bases.

The said regulations primarily discussed the details of authorised and unauthorised building uses and building regulatory procedures in capital city. This is one of the important set of regulations which is being used to favour blue-eyed persons by moulding its clauses. The implementation of these regulations in letter and spirit are quite necessary to protect the planned growth in the city and a narrow unwise modification can convert this city into a concrete jungle.

The Islamabad Land Disposal Regulations 2005 provide the framework to allot plots in different areas, the construction period, details of transfer, cancellation and restoration of plots.

The committee, to amend these regulations, includes the Member Administration, the Member Estate, the Deputy Director General Land & Estate, the CDA’s Counsel, Director Regional Planning and the Deputy Commissioner of the CDA as a member.

The aforementioned committees are tasked to finalise their work within one month, but it appears tp be an impossible task as per the traditional routine of the Authority.

An officer on the condition of anonymity has said: “It is too early to say something about the outcomes of these committees as there are a number of committees which could not finalise their recommendations even after the passing of years.”

He said; “the revision of byelaws is very important task and it should be carried out on professional grounds.”

The CDA board is the competent forum to amend or pass new byelaws for the smooth functioning of different formations. A spokesperson to the CDA Malik Saleem Akhtar while talking to the Daily Times said: “The incumbent management wants to avoid indiscrimination and committees had been formed to align the rules and regulations as per the needs of present era.”