The under-construction skyscraper located at a scenic location of federal capital again came into limelight as management of high rise residential apartments went into litigation against the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for sealing the apartments. CDA has sealed the under-construction high rise apartments and five-star hotel Grand Hayat for violations in layout plan and building code.
The building, which will house a five-star hotel and residential apartments, is being built by the BNP Group.
BNP Group filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday and requested the court to de-seal its premises.
During the hearing of recent petition, CDA Counsel Kashif Ali Malik informed the court that the construction company could only built 60 apartments in each in both the towers but it constructed 124 apartments in each tower.
As per CDA's stance, the builders have also sold service apartments in the market without the CDA's approval.
It may be mentioned that the CDA sealed the under-construction skyscraper as the PAC in its meeting held on May 25 hinted that it would register a criminal case against at least two former heads of the civic agency and members of the CDA Board for giving undue favour to the BNP Group.
In March 9, 2005, CDA auctioned a 13.5 acre plot on Constitution Avenue to the BNP Group for Rs 4.88 billion. Shah said the CDA Board handed over possession of the plot in 2005 after receiving just Rs400 million.
The PAC chairman said the BNP Group had earned over Rs 3 billion in profits from selling residential units, while the CDA had yet to receive half of the total receivable sum.
Initially, the building was allowed to be build up to 718 feet tall, but its height was reduced to 300 feet after objections were raised by the Civil Aviation Authority. By December 2014, the BNP had paid Rs 1.02 billion, while the remaining Rs 3.85 billion is recoverable until 2026 in equal instalments. On directions from the PAC, the CDA referred the matter related to rescheduling and slow recovery of the amount to the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Accountability Bureau, both of which are investigating the matter.