Package for 3 sectors affected people in Islamabad
Pakistan Times National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: After a long period of 25-years, government has finally struck a ‘package deal’ with 2500 affectees of much-delayed I 14, 15 and I 16 sectors here on Friday.

The deal was formally signed in the presence of Federal Labour and Manpower Minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan and Chairman CDA Kamrnal Lashari at the authority’s headquarters. Under the agreement, the native residents of these sectors (service road) would be able to get the plots against their Built up Property (BuP) in the form of houses whom names had already been listed in the first awards earlier announced in 1979.

Any landholder that has reached to the age of 18 on 31-12-2004 would also be given plots against the BuP provided the owner of the said land is a actual local resident of the village from forefathers. Over 300-sq/ft. covered area is mandatory against BuP for getting the plot.

The widows will also be allotted plots, chairman CDA pointed out. Ghulam Sarwar Khan told newsmen that efforts are being made by the 4-member ministerial committee of the cabinet to sign agreement with E-12, F-12 and G-12 sectors that would ultimately help in bringing down the increasing real estate prices in the federal capital.

No one will be given extra plot against his/her BuP according to the new award, he said adding those who had already been awarded plots in lieu of 300 sq/ft acquired land under the old agreement would also be compensated as per new agreement.

The minister said that awards would be made possible under the 1996 policy and they would be provided with original allotment letters within three months since striking of deal. Otherwise, Sarwar Khan said CDA would be liable to pay late fee to the allottees.

Chairman CDA announced that detailed survey of these sectors would be undertaken of the land/service road to start development work once the matter is settled amicably. Kamran Lashari has assured the landlords that the civic authority would give possession to allottees within two years.

Otherwise CDA will not charge delayed payment as development charges from the allottees if it fails to do so, he added. Responding to a question, Lashari said that at least 12 experienced firms have expressed interest to restart development of D-12 Sector. Over the next 10 days, the Expression of Interests (EoIs) would be short-listed and the contract would be awarded to the competent company within a month, chairman remarked.

To another query, he said cabinet ministerial committee is actively working to finalize a package deal with the affectees of E-12, F-12 and G-12 sectors He emphasized that CDA should adopt the same strategy for signing the agreements with the residents of above-mentioned sectors. There is about 2300 kanals of land falling in service road of I-14, I15 and I-16 to compensate over nine thousand affectees.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister for Labour Ghulam Sarwar Khan said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz took personal interest in the matter and formed a four-member Cabinet Committee, comprising Ministers for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Housing Minister Safwanullah and Minister for Labour and Manpower.

He said the Cabinet Committee took keen interest in the issue and worked day and night to resolve it in larger interest of the affected people and CDA. The Minister also praised efforts of Chairman CDA and his team in resolving the issue amicably.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that no attention was given to the housing sector in the country in general and in Islamabad in particular in the past and that was why the prices have been showing sky-rise price hike.

He said that disputes could be resolved through force, adding that talks were the only solution of all issues.The Minister said after resolution of the issue of D-12, I-14-15 and I-16, the issue of Sectors E-12,F-12 and G-12 would also be resolved soon.●