The District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Tariq Mehmood Pirzada under section 47 of Co-operative Housing Society Act 1925 has ordered winding up of around seven co-operative housing societies in the Federal Capital immediately, Business Recorder learnt on Thursday.
Those non-functional housing societies, which have been asked to close their offices include Federal Bank Housing Society, National Institute of Health (NIH) Co-operative Housing Society, Naval Headquarters Co-operative Housing Society, University Grants Commission (UGC) Co-operative Housing Society, Federal Farming Co-operative Housing Society, Progressive Citizens Co-operative Housing Society and Manpower and Workers Co-operative Housing Society.
As per official order, their registration would be deemed cancel. These registered societies were unable to commence their development work according to plan drawn by the district administration Islamabad.
The district administration has served show cause notices to these housing societies five months back, asking them to streamline their activities as per requirements of the Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1925. Notices were issued on 15-5-2004, but the societies have so far not been able to obey the orders of district magistrate, sources said.
The Deputy Commissioner has also appointed Sadaqat Hussain, Co-operative Registrar, as legislator to implement the DC orders. However, it was also learnt that they have legal right to file their appeal with the Chief Commissioner Islamabad for review.
There are at least 41 housing societies registered with the Registrar Co-operative Housing Societies Islamabad, out of which only 10 societies have developed the land, as per plan.
Sources said that an important meeting is also being scheduled between the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Islamabad District Administration to discuss the matters pertaining to amendment of societies registration laws.
ICT Administration has also proposed certain recommendations and amendments in the prevailing Societies Act. It may be recalled that District Magistrate Islamabad on September 17 imposed Section 144 CrPc in the Federal Capital, barring illegal housing societies from advertising, booking and selling of plots without prior permission of the competent authority.
The ban was imposed for a period of over 60 days from the date of official notification.
Some of the housing societies, trusts and limited companies were allegedly involved in looting and fleecing the public through attractive advertisements in the national dallies.
Sources also said that ban could be extended after lapse of 60 days.