From marquees to saloons, sector E-11 has become a hub of commercial activities in residential area
Sector E-11, a relatively new sector of the capital, has accommodated and absorbed many restaurants, boutiques, media houses and other outlets after Capital Development Authority (CDA) served them eviction notices for their involvement in carrying of commercial activities in residential areas.
Since 2014, CDA has repeatedly taken action against the non-conforming use of residential premises that was underway since long. However, last year in September, Supreme Court (SC) ordered the authorities at CDA to take indiscriminate action against encroachments and commercial activities in Islamabad.
Many of the businesses are moved to Sector E-11, home to many private housing societies, like National Police Foundation, Multi Professional Cooperative Housing Society, Federal Employees Cooperative Housing Society and Services Societies. Furthermore, around a dozen marquees also appeared on the borders of the sector that is all set to take due and undue advantage of not being under the watch of CDA’s by-laws, as the laws that regulate the building control in sectors of CDA don’t apply as stringently as in the sector E-11.
Sector E-11 is rife with examples of non-conforming use as even the CADD minister has previously said that both his ministry and CDA have no role in the regulation of building structures in the vicinity due to its close proximity with Golra Sharif. It seems that E-11 is all set to become the next G-12, another sector where CDA has no authority for the past decades.
“The wealthy and connected people live in E-11. The sector is home to private societies who manage their affairs on their own. Be it the selling and purchase of plots, provision of plots and amenities, and making of roads or street lights, the residents hire private contractors as CDA has no role to play in these aspects,” said an official of CDA.
