Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Building Control Section (BCS) of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has sealed two famous massage centres working in the federal capital over non-confirming the use of residential buildings, whereas a fresh compliance report has also been submitted by the Authority in the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday.

A joint team of the BCS and the enforcement directorate officials raided two famous massage centres working in the residential area of Sector G-6/2 and sealed the premises over non-confirming use of residential buildings.

The sealed premises are Nirvana Day Spa & Salon and Tony & Guy Salon. Both the salons were being considered as well sourced because besides continuous complaints, the Authority was reluctant to take action against them for the last seven months.

Eight other salons of a similar nature including Eshel’s Salon, Depilex Salon, Glamour Daze, Jugno’s Salon, Sobia’s Salon, Allenora Signature Salon and Complexion Beauty Salon have also been removed from the residential sectors after the launch of a massive operation against non-confirming use in the capital city.

The people living around the aforementioned sealed massage and fitness centres have lauded the Authority over taking an action against them. The residents were facing several problems due to rust and late night activities at both the commercial out lets.

On the other hand, the civic authority has submitted a compliance report in the Supreme Court of Pakistan containing the latest facts and figures regarding operations against non-confirming use.

The report stated that a total of 241 premises had been sealed by the BCS so far in compliance of the court’s order issued in the month of August last year, whereas the list also includes the name and addresses of those 13 buildings, which were sealed by the CDA last month.

Moreover, the report has also specified that in result of the CDA’s ongoing operation, a total 652 buildings have been voluntarily vacated by the owners and the commercial activities have been stopped in the residential area. The number includes 67 buildings, which stopped commercial activities last month.

According to a report, 18 out of 31 government offices working in residential sectors have also been shifted from the area, whereas the rest of the offices are still working in the residential sectors.

The report briefed the Apex Court that an operation was launched by the Building Control Section against the guest houses operating in residential sectors on June 8, but on strong reaction by the owners and staff of these guest houses, the Authority has postponed the said operation till the end of the holy month of Ramadan to avoid any law and order situation at the site.

Director Building Control Section Shafih Marwat has responded that the Authority was doing a successful operation against non-confirming use and most of the commercial activities had been removed including schools, guest houses, media houses, some government offices and hostels.

He briefed that the issue of private schools operating in residential buildings was pending in a committee, whereas the matter of guest houses is also in the Islamabad High Court.” He said further; “We don’t want to create chaos in the city, rather we are moving forward tactfully and soon we will also seal the remaining premises.”

The Daily Times learnt that a total of 824 commercial activities are still ongoing at residential buildings including 352 schools, 177 guest houses, 121 hostels, 50 media offices and 68 clinics.