Tariq Fazal Chaudhry clarifies CDA's action

In a recent development, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has addressed the allegations made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the Capital Development Authority's (CDA) recent action against the PTI's central secretariat in Islamabad.

Chaudhry clarified that the CDA had issued four notices to the building for violating building bylaws before taking the step to demolish a part of it and seal the premises. Contrary to PTI's claims of political motivation behind the action, Chaudhry emphasized that the notices were served prior to the CDA's intervention.

According to Chaudhry, the building, originally designated as a class-3 shopping center in 1995, had unauthorized construction of two additional floors and encroachment on four kanals of land when it was transformed into the PTI central secretariat. Despite the CDA's disapproval of an extra floor in 2013, the construction continued in violation of regulations.

Chaudhry refuted PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan's statement about a surprise raid, pointing out that notices were issued in November 2020, February 2021, June 2022, and September 2022, with a final warning in September 2023 before the CDA's action. He stressed that the building bylaws of Islamabad are applicable to all, including the PTI, and accused the PTI leadership of dishonesty in their assertions.

Furthermore, Chaudhry criticized the PTI government for condemning the federal government over the CDA's lawful operation. He highlighted that the PML-N had relocated its secretariat to Chak Shehzad after receiving a notice for being located in a residential area, demonstrating adherence to regulations.

The clarification provided by Tariq Fazal Chaudhry sheds light on the sequence of events leading to the CDA's action against the PTI's central secretariat. It underscores the importance of compliance with building bylaws and regulations, emphasizing that no entity, including political parties, is above the law. This incident serves as a reminder of the significance of adhering to legal requirements to avoid repercussions.