A number of illegal kiosks and mini shops are planted on footpaths and parking areas and leave no space for parking.
Residents of Islamabad cannot find parking spots during the peak hours. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) administration is reportedly involved in bargaining with the owners and allowing this practice.
During the survey, Pakistan Today came to know that many mini shops and kiosks are planted in the business places like blue area and other markaz of the capital. While the CDA administration seems committed to removing illegal slums and encroachments, the same authority has closed its eyes on the illegal hotels and kiosks on footpaths and available open space in the capital.
Most of the illegal hotels were set up in these business places. Blue Area and other markets such as the G-7 Markaz, Sitara Market, I-9 Markaz, I-10 Markaz and Melody Market, have all been affected. Many hotels have placed their tables and chairs on the road in the evening but nobody bothers to ask them why.
These types of the hotels are selling low quality food and other eatable items which may causes diseases. CDA personnel said that the authority used to issue licenses according to the measurement on a rental basis but recently no licenses have been issued. Director Encroachment Malik Azhar said that the CDA keeps a check and balance on illegal encroachment in all business areas.
Sultan Mehmood, a shop owner, refused to disclose his real name said that all illegal owners running shops and kiosks have deals with the CDA management and before any operation is conducted they were being informed. He said that they pay a stipend on a monthly basis to the officials.
Sometime, the CDA team takes their material and other furniture. “But we get these things back on the basis of our agreement. They charge money and take many benefits from us,” he said.
Pakistan Today came to know that many of the workers on these hotels are Afghan citizens, without holding any identity. Owners said these workers are available on low wages and they are hired on daily basis. These illegal Afghan citizen are high risk in the capital.
