ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has instructed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to address the longstanding issue concerning car parking spaces, particularly around car showrooms.
During a previous hearing, IHC Justice Babar Sattar had directed the de-sealing of showrooms in sectors G-8 and G-9, which the CDA had sealed due to non-compliance. The CDA’s legal representative, Hafiz Arafat, argued that the public struggled to find parking near these showrooms as dealers had taken over most of the available spaces.
Justice Sattar, after reviewing the CDA’s report and response, noted the lack of adequate parking provisions for businesses and residents in Islamabad. He also highlighted the absence of an effective regulatory framework for parking. He expressed concerns over the CDA’s approach to sealing businesses based on their use of public parking spaces, stating that this did not align with the Capital Development Authority Ordinance 1960.
The court has summoned the inspector general of police and the senior superintendent of police (traffic) to submit a report on the legal framework governing vehicle parking on roads and designated parking areas.
Furthermore, the court has asked the CDA chairman and the planning member to provide a report detailing the parking needs of the city’s residents and businesses, as well as the measures taken to ensure sufficient parking spaces.
Justice Sattar has also called for a meeting between the CDA chairman, representatives of the petitioners, and traffic police officials to devise a long-term solution for the parking issue.
The hearing has been postponed to October 30th.
It’s worth noting that the CDA had sealed 117 car showrooms last month for occupying parking spaces in various markets. The showroom owners, through their lawyer Kashif Ali Malik, have contested the CDA’s actions in the IHC.
