High-rise buildings: CDA mulling to give one-time relaxation of zoning bye-laws

Capital Development Authority (CDA) is mulling to give one-time relaxation of zoning bye-laws to high-rise buildings in the federal capital, sources revealed. The sources in CDA told Business Recorder that CDA has sought exemption from the federal cabinet over high-rise buildings built in the federal capital without getting no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the civic agency.
They said the CDA has backtracked from its earlier decision of sealing buildings having no-objection certificates because when these buildings were constructed, there were no bye-laws or guidelines regarding construction of high-rise buildings. However, recently CDA launched sealing operations against illegal and unauthorized constructions in sector E-11.
Most of the buildings in the sector are commercial but unregulated. The CDA had issued notices to 84 violators for raising construction without seeking approval of building plans from CDA and warned them not to raise the construction without approval of the CDA and stop all the constructions.
The CDA has been publishing public notices regarding E-11 since 2014 wherein all developers and owners have been directed not to raise the construction without approval of CDA but to no avail. The matter had also been under litigation in Islamabad High Court and it had directed to stop unauthorized construction works in the sector E-11. But it has been observed that owners are raising construction with complete disregard of the court orders.
The CDA has issued violation notices to owners of the above 80 buildings including Venues Carpets Show Room, Sara Saleem Boutique, NM Furniture, Dubai Store, One Dollar Shop, We Play, Nandara Cuisine, Khudadad Heights, Mahnoor Residencia Apartments, Margalla Views Heights Apartments, Capital Resorts Apartments, Punjab Traders, Margalla Hills, Khan Apartments, Ahad Heights, Al-Sahib Heights Apartments, Sultan Khan Heights, Prime Apartments, Qurtaba Heights, Margalla Heights Gateway, Islamabad Heights Alfalah Manzil, Al-Hareem Heights, Emerald Heights, Huzaifa Heights, Capital Residencia, Al-Roz Academy, Al-Hameed Apartments, Fortune Residency, Mardan Heights, Alfoz Academy, Apollo Tower, Un Heights, Khattak Heights, Malik House, Mustafa Arcades, Qartaba Heights, Margalla Tower, Islamabad Square, Alharam Apartments, Abdullah Tower, Islamabad Heights, MN Heights, Alfalah Heights Urzama Plaza, Mehran Complex, Makkah Tower, Islamabad View Heights, Shaheen Apartments, Nilam Heights, Taj Complex, Awan Arcade, Alkhaim, Consulate Office Botswana, Umair Residencia, Fortune Empire, Mahnoor Residencia, Sapphire Heights, Friends Arcade, Manzoor Manzil, Sultan Khan Plaza, Raj Gardens, Home Care Furnishers, Smart Wash, Ikon Home, JMC Motors, Mint Bistro, Dubai Car, Woodies, Beauty Parlor, One Shop, Barry Home, IF Store, Sheikh Usman Building Shopping Mall and Capital Square.