ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) board approved the formation of a committee to finalize suggestions as the city managers made a significant policy decision to amend the zoning regulations of Zone III.
According to sources, the board in principle resolved to change the zoning regulations and established a committee following a thorough discussion.
The details show that member estate, directors’ master plan, building control, and architect Nayar Ali Dada would serve as members of the committee, which will be led by member planning Waseem Hayat Bajwa.
Furthermore, the committee is required to complete its recommendations within 15 days and draft regulations which will then be submitted to the federal cabinet for final approval.
It is pertinent to mention that Zone III covers over 50,000 acres, and is made up of both public and private lands while approximately 20,000 acres of the total land is private property.
Furthermore, Zone III also includes the following areas of capital territory:
- A portion of Banigala
- Lakhwal
- Saidpur
- Malpur
- Bhara Kahu
- Kot Hathial
- Shah Allah Ditta
- Mangial
- Phulgran
- Mandla
- Dhoke Jewan
- Gandiar
- Kalinjar
- Sanarir
- The area bounded by Srinagar Highway in the North
- Shahrah-i-Islamabad in the West
- Murree Road in the South and East
- The area within a distance of 2 Km of Rawal Lake
Besides, people who own land in the zone, frequently suffer constraints, since they are unable to construct new houses on their own property in accordance with CDA zoning requirements.
Additionally, the civic organization never made any concrete steps to address local residents’ problems, despite a report that was given to the cabinet in 2010, instructing the CDA to conduct a study in Zone III, but no adequate work was carried out.
Interestingly, there have been some rumors that a bureaucrat had asked the CDA to start a massive housing project in Zone III next to his property while officials also claimed that zoning laws were being changed to introduce a mega apartment project in Zone III.
The CDA, however, has categorically denied these allegations and maintained that the regulations are being amended to better serve the community.
