IHC orders CDA to remove illegal ‘Katchi Abadis’ in one month

Islamabad
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) here on Friday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to remove illegal ‘Katchi Abadis’ (slum areas) established in the federal capital in one-month time.
CDA Member Administration Amir Ali Ahmed appeared before the court alongside an additional secretary of the Ministry of Interior Hamid Ali Khan. Justice Siddiqui directed respondents to abolish the illegal slum areas and submit detailed report on March 12.
On January 30, the court had directed the secretary Interior to appear before the court in person and had also directed the CDA member admin to submit details on the mushroom growth of slums. The CDA member admin told the court that there were almost ten legal ‘Katchi Abadis’ in Islamabad and almost same number is illegal. Legal ‘Katchi Abadies’ were those whose record lies with the CDA. However, the CDA also wishes to relocate these legal ‘Katchi Abadis’. At this juncture Justice Siddiqui observed that if CDA while acquiring land for the development of new sectors announce the award for land and for the build up properties simultaneously, these ‘Katchi Abadis’ would hard to emerge. It is because of the sluggishness of the development authority that people build new houses over the land where CDA intends to develop new sectors.
While hearing the case IHC bench addressing to the additional secretary Ministry of Interior said that the CDA is willing to remove these ‘Katchi Abadis’, now it is your duty to assist them and provide them a cover. Additional secretary Interior sought two months time from the court to do away with this task but the court directed respondents to initiate the process within one month and then submit the report.
The court also expressed annoyance over the Iesco and SNGPL who provide electricity and gas without confirming status of the property.
The CDA member admin told the court that the authority has started a survey of all slums in the city. The population of slums would be evaluated after its completion. While additional secretary Interior told the court that he had launched operation against ‘Katchi Abadis’ located in Sector I-11 when he was DC Islamabad in 2000. But later it was established once again.
The establishment of illegal slum areas had came into discussion after a person Muhammad Ameen Khan filed a writ petition before the court claiming that he hails from South Waziristan and has been living in the ‘Katchi Abadi’ of Sector G-11 for the last 35-40 years. Ameen Khan told the court that despite repeated attempts, National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) has not been issuing him the computerised national identity card (CNIC).
Regarding this matter Justice Siddiqui observed that the petitioner could not be issued with a CNIC on the basis of his ‘Katchi Abadi’ address. The petitioner then filed a civil miscellaneous application submitting before the court that he could mention his another address. Upon this Justice Siddiqui said that he could apply for a CNIC but Nadra may issue him a CNIC after verification of the address.
The petitioner Muhammad Amin Khan had been contending before the IHC that he has tribal feuds at his native place and the reason he migrated to Islamabad. In February 2000 he applied to Nadra for issuance of CNIC but he was told to approach authorities at his native place.
Petitioner said that due to non-availability of a CNIC, he has been facing difficulties in performing different functions of life.