The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to become a party in a case challenging the collection of parking fees in Islamabad’s New Blue Area.
The court also issued notices and sought written responses from the relevant authorities regarding the legality and administration of the fee collection process.
The case was heard by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on a petition filed by Advocate Tayyab. Petitioners, represented by Advocates Hazrat Younas and others, appeared before the court. Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Anam Fatima, also attended the hearing along with MCI’s counsel, Advocate Kashif Malik.
During the proceedings, Advocate Kashif Malik argued that the parking fees were not being collected by the MCI but by the CDA under the Parking Regulations 2023 approved by the CDA Board. He informed the court that the area designated for parking in New Blue Area falls under CDA’s approved development plan and that the fees are being charged on CDA-owned land rather than on service roads.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir observed that although the CDA had directed the MCI regarding fee collection, the CDA itself had not been made a party to the case.
The court instructed the respondents to submit written replies and ordered that the CDA be formally included in the proceedings. Addressing concerns raised during the hearing, the judge remarked that no stay order had yet been issued and questioned why the respondents appeared worried about the matter.
Counsel for the petitioners urged the court to suspend the collection of parking fees, arguing that there was no clarity regarding where the collected funds were being utilized. He further stated that a private contractor was issuing parking tickets in the area.
The court subsequently sought a written response from the CDA and adjourned further hearing of the case until June 29.
