Report:City Reporter FT:
ISLAMABAD: President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Sardar Tahir Mehmood has urged the CDA Building Control Department to immediately stop sealing plazas and business centres without prior notice and consultation.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, Sardar Tahir Mehmood said no business should be closed without giving owners and traders an opportunity to explain their position. He termed the sealing of entire plazas or multiple businesses over a single alleged violation unjustified and irrational.
He said that where violations of building regulations are established, action should be taken against the responsible party in accordance with the law, rather than disrupting businesses that may have no connection with the violation.
The ICCI President said sealing commercial premises without prior notice was creating fear, concern and uncertainty among Islamabad’s business community, which could negatively affect business confidence and discourage investment.
He urged the CDA Building Control Department to take plaza owners, traders and other stakeholders into confidence before initiating enforcement action. Businesses should be provided proper notice, an opportunity to submit relevant documents and reasonable time to rectify violations where possible, he added.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood called for an immediate review of recent sealing actions and demanded a clear, uniform and transparent mechanism for dealing with building-related violations.
He clarified that ICCI does not oppose action against genuine violations but strongly opposes arbitrary and unilateral measures that disrupt legitimate commercial activity. He said the business community remains united in protecting its lawful interests and seeks to resolve the matter through meaningful dialogue and consultation with CDA authorities.
