The authority has given 15 days to address alleged building violations at the JUI-F chief’s Islamabad residence and issued separate notices over construction at seminaries linked to party-affiliated clerics.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued notices over alleged unauthorised construction at the Islamabad residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and at seminaries linked to clerics affiliated with the party.
The action includes a 15-day deadline for the removal of alleged violations at Fazlur Rehman’s residence in Sector G-6/4. Separate notices have also been issued over construction-related violations at religious institutions in Islamabad.
CDA identifies alleged violations at Fazlur Rehman’s residence
According to the notice issued by the CDA’s Directorate of Building Control (City) on October 30, the authority identified three main violations at the JUI-F chief’s residence.
These include construction within the property’s mandatory setback areas, a security guard post built on CDA land and a generator installed on land belonging to the authority.
The notice, displayed outside the property, directs the legal owner to remove the identified violations within 15 days.
The CDA also referred to an affidavit submitted by the property owner on March 18, 2019, when a no-objection certificate was issued. According to the authority, the owner had undertaken to remove setback violations within three months and comply with its regulations.
The notice states that the required compliance had not taken place.
Authority warns of sealing and demolition
The CDA has warned that failure to comply with the notice could result in enforcement action under the CDA Ordinance and Islamabad Capital Territory Building Control Regulations 2020, amended in 2023.
Possible measures include sealing the property, demolishing unauthorised structures and initiating proceedings for cancellation of the plot allotment.
The authority has also taken action against seminaries reportedly operated by clerics affiliated with JUI-F.
Notices dated October 29 were issued concerning alleged construction without approval at sites in Sector F-8/3 and Bilal Town, near Korang Nullah. The objections include construction without approved building plans and alleged violations of building regulations.
JUI-F leader describes action as political retaliation
Maulana Asjad Mahmood, son of Fazlur Rehman, criticised the CDA action and linked it to the party’s recent objections over alleged encroachments near the residence of a senior military official in Peshawar.
In a statement, he accused authorities of resorting to what he described as retaliatory measures instead of addressing the party’s concerns.
He also expressed concern over what he called the transformation of political differences into personal revenge. These remarks represent the JUI-F leader’s position; the allegation of retaliation has not been independently established.
CDA action follows renewed political tensions
The notices come amid heightened political tensions between JUI-F and the federal government.
Fazlur Rehman recently criticised the government over its handling of constitutional and political matters, including the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The CDA had also issued a notice concerning alleged unauthorised construction at the JUI-F chief’s residence in March 2019, during the PTI government.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the anti-encroachment campaign in the capital would continue regardless of political influence. He questioned the legality of the structures identified at Fazlur Rehman’s residence.
