ISLAMABAD: Senate’s Special Committee on Non-Implementation of Building Codes and Civic Regulations on Thursday criticised the Capital Development Authority (CDA), IESCO, SNGPL and other relevant departments for poor institutional coordination to check the mushroom growth of illegal housing projects and other high-rise buildings, terming it criminal negligence. The special committee meeting was chaired by Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi at the Parliament House. Officials and representatives of CDA, IESCO, SNGPL, FIA and others briefed the committee about steps taken for disbanding the illegal constructions. Members of the committee expressed their surprise on the state of affairs. Officials of CDA said that nearly 84 buildings were being constructed illegally in E-11 Sector, out of which 41 had been sealed. They said that no NOC had been acquired from CDA for these constructions. Similarly, in H-13, CDA had issued notices to the people involved in illegal constructions. The committee was informed that 25 buildings were being illegal constructed and IESCO, SNGPL and others had been told not to provide utility services there. “The cabinet back in 2004 had decided that no electricity, gas connections will be provided without NOCs from CDA,” they said. The IESCO CEO briefed the committee and said that as per the regulations of NEPRA, no NOC from CDA/RDA was required for provision of new electricity connections. He, however, said that five housing societies in E-11 area were provided connections on the layout plan approved by the CDA. It was informed that no connections had been approved now owing to the restrictions imposed by the CDA. In his written reply, the CEO said that after construction of buildings, pressure was exerted from various forums for obtaining electricity connections. The committee sought details of the electricity and gas connections issued by IESCO and SNGPL without any NOC from the CDA and called upon all the institutions to work in coherence and chalk out a mechanism for monitoring the illegal constructions in the ICT area. Convener of the committee directed the departments to improve coordination and streamline the affairs for fairness and transparency. The committee heard the point of view of the representatives of the FIA and SECP on the matter. It also sought details from FIA and SECP on cases referred to them by CDA for taking action. The meeting was attended among others by senators Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari, Taj Haider and Ayesha Raza Farooq.
Published in Daily Times, December 15th 2017.