Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The building control bylaws would be modified with consultation of all stakeholders to facilitate the construction of skyscrapers in the city, it was said by the Mayor and Chairman CDA Shaikh Ansar Aziz while responding to journalists in a media briefing at the end of an inaugural ceremony of Club House.

The mayor was of the view that the high-rise buildings would add further beauty to Federal Capital and the relevant rules and regulations would be amended to facilitate the builders for the construction of high rise buildings in the city.

Answering to a question regarding unnecessary delay in the inquiry of Safa Gold Mall, the Mayor of Islamabad said, “The delay in inquiries was the routine of past and now there would be no delay in probing the irregularities.”

Earlier, a three member committee headed by Member Engineering of CDA Shahid Sohail concluded a long delayed departmental inquiry in last week and declared two officers of the authority as guilty for favouring owner of Safa Gold Mall in construction of seven floors as he was only allowed to construct four floors on his plot.

Shaikh Ansar Aziz had rejected the findings concluded by aforementioned committee and ordered a fresh inquiry in this case by arguing that the certain aspects are left unattended and need further investigations.

It was apprehended that the Mayor is in understanding with the builders of city and wants to facilitate them by changing Building Control Bylaws, but now he has categorically favoured the said demand made by the Islamabad Developer Association (IDA).

President IDA, Chaudhry Naseer while welcoming the statement of Mayor has said, “Change in building bylaws would not only benefit to a specific person, but it would be helpful for the whole industry across the board.” “CDA should give relaxation in circulation area by excluding it from total Floor Area Ratio (FAR) as already such relaxation is permissible in Lahore, Karachi and even abroad”, he said.

FAR meant that how much area a party can construct on its plot. The builders want to exclude galleries, corridors and service area from total covered area as by doing this they can construct more shops and flats on their plot which resultantly give more financial benefit to them.

Meanwhile, the Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz inaugurated Club House at Markaz F-6. Mayor said that MCI has taken concrete steps for provision of healthy and recreational facilities in Islamabad. He said, in order to eliminate monopoly of a specific group, MCI has started retrieving control of grounds from illegal occupants.