Outdated laws and manual procedures in the Capital Development Authority (CDA) are hampering development of the capital city and discouraging investors, said Islamabad Chamber of Commerce founder president and Chamber of Small Traders Chairman Dr Shahid Rashid Butt on Tuesday while speaking to the business community.
He said those who buy commercial lands worth tens of millions are involved in petty matters like soil testing etc. which should be done by the CDA officials before selling the land. He said CDA officials take years to approve the maps, design and plan of the building made by the professional engineers and architects approved by the Pakistan Engineering Council and the civic agency itself.
He said whole system of the Building Control Cell of the CDA is in the hands of employees of the lower grades who ensure delay to get their palms greased by investors resulting in delays, disheartenment and increased cost of doing business.
He said that CDA must be bound to ensure all tests before selling land, make system automated and approve the layout plan etc. within one month to reduce corruption, cost of doing business and encourage investment. This will make buying land easier, boost taxes and employment and cast down increasing trend of commercial activities in residential areas of Islamabad, he added.
He said that CDA would impose 18 percent extra charges on late payments but it would not pay any damages for delay on its part to those whose billions are kept blocked for years. This is exploitation, double standards and discrimination which must be abandoned, he demanded.
Those present on the occasion included Chamber of Small Traders President Kamran Abbasi, SVP Qazi Ilyas, G-9 President Raj Abbasi, Abpara Market President Malik Zaheer Ahmed, Melody Market Chairman Masood Khokar and others.
