In a classic case of arm-twisting, manipulation, nepotism and fraud by the influential politicians connected to the ruling family, the administration of Centaurus mall has installed a new advertisement on its tower C without seeking a no-objection certificate (NoC) from the directorate of municipal administration (DMA) and in blatant violation of the stay orders issued by the district courts.
Mall administration allegedly, with the convenience of civic management of the capital, had illegally installed a wrap (sticker) on the glass of tower C. This was south Asia’s largest advertisement which was pasted without benefiting the national exchequer and without seeking prior approval (NOC) from the competent authority.
DMA of the metropolitan corporation Islamabad (MCI) has also shut its eyes over this irregularity just to accommodate the bigwigs. DMA would be devoid of Rs15 million annually in this regard (@Rs250/sf). The mall administration installed the new sticker before getting a NOC in a well-conceived move to pressurise the authority to allow them for this commercial activity to generate revenue.
A sticker of DEW drink ad measuring 56,000 square foot was installed on the glass-wall of the aforementioned wall few days ago without putting a single penny in the national coffers.
The previous advertisement company (Nash) claimed that they had an agreement with the administration of the said mall and they had paid them advance rent money, which is valid till August this year. Nash had also paid an amount of Rs15 million to the DMA which is valid till December this year. It gained no-objection certificate (NOC) in 2015 and now it renews the NOC on yearly basis.
According to the documents available with Pakistan Today, DMA offered Nash advertisement for sticker pasting on the face glass of Centaurus mall, sector F-8 Islamabad on February 9, 2017.
“It is to inform you that your request for display of sticker pasting on the face glass of Centaurus mall at F-8 sector has been examined and approved by the competent authority of utilizing 30,000 square foot for the period of one year (17/01/1017 to 16/01/2018) on standard terms and conditions,” DMA stated and asked the company to submit the pay order at Rs250 per square foot per annum which amounts to Rs75 lac, partially payable to the authority within seven days.
Documents showed that the Nash advertisement had paid the partial amount of Rs1, 875,000 by a Cheque numbered. 27909694 on February 15 this year.
However, sources said that some politicians were involved in this episode. Sources alleged that a close relative of the ruling family was instrumental in arm twisting of the mayor Islamabad in this regard while another ruling party member of national assembly, a sitting senator of the coalition government who also chairs the standing committee on CDA matters have played a key role in it.
“One MNA including some other politicians and bureaucrats assured the administration of Centaurus mall that they would bring them permission of running a hotel in tower C from the capital development authority (CDA) and ask CDA to hand over the possession of the glass-wall,” sources said.
Subsequently, the DMA on April 13 had issued another letter of cancellation of the license they had given to Nash advertisement, claiming that Nash had submitted a cheque instead of pay order of the partial amount.
Director DMA Ali Sufiyan said that first, the matter was with the session court and they announced a verdict in the favor of Centaurus mall. Later on, the said advertisement company went to the district court and managed to take a stay order.
“Yes, the mall installed the sticker illegally and they do not have an NOC. They just applied for the NOC and posted a sticker of DEW on it. Authority is looking into matter and would send them notice soon,” he said.
When contacted, the Nash advertisement chief executive officer (CEO) Naseem Khan said that he would file against DMA and Centaurus in contempt of court on Thursday (Today).
Director Nash Ayaz Sidiqui said, “All was going good. We are victims and we sustained the loss of millions of rupees. We will follow it till its conclusion,” adding that the new advertisement company is not registered with the securities and exchange commission of Pakistan (SECP). He alleged that it is not even a tax payer. Asia’s biggest advertisement lacks legal cover and no one is paying heed to it, he concluded.
When contacted, manager activation and coordination of Centuarus mall Kashif Butt said that he was not in a position of revealing anything. He told that Centaurus did not violate any law. He said that wrap posting is legal and the administration followed the rules and regulations.
Contact could not be made with the mayor cum chairman CDA Sheikh Anser Aziz as he is out of country.
CDA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said that everything found illegal would be dealt according to the law, without any fear and favour.
