Islamabad: Illegal house-use contradicts CDA bylaws

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISLAMABAD: The residents of sectors G-9, F-10, I-9, I-8 and G-8 have complained that most of houses in their areas are being converted fast into small hotels and rest houses. Voicing concern over commercial use of residential quarters, they urged the authorities concerned to redress their grievances. They said a rapid conversion of housing units into business places was adding to their miseries. They accused Capital Development Authority (CDA) of taking no action against residents plying trade at their houses in violation of the CDA’s building bylaws. They termed nonconforming use of residential houses a bigger problem than minor encroachments. “The CDA doesn’t want to curb violation of its building bylaws,” they alleged, adding, public committees should be taken on board to address this issue. A city resident, Aslam Khan, said the CDA was busy confiscating stalls and handcarts of poor vendors and cannot take any action against the big mafias. When contacted, a CDA official said the authority would take action against the violators of its building bylaws. However, he urged people to point out houses being used commercially across the city. He said the CDA would launch a crackdown against use of residential houses as hotels, restaurants, guesthouses and hostels after Eidul Fitr. online

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