CDA Gives Fazlur Rehman’s Residence 15 Days to Remove Alleged Encroachments

JUI-F terms the CDA action against Fazlur Rehman’s residence politically motivated, with his son Asjad Mahmood linking it to his father’s political differences with the government, while Minister of State Talal Chaudhry describes the notice as routine enforcement under the authority’s year-long anti-encroachment drive across Islamabad.

Hamid Khan Wazir

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued a 15-day notice for the removal of alleged encroachments and unauthorised structures at the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, further fuelling a political row between the JUI-F and the government.

His son and party leader, Maulana Asjad Mahmood, has alleged that the action is retaliatory and linked to his father’s political differences with the government, while Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has dismissed the allegation, describing the notice as part of a routine anti-encroachment drive that has been under way across Islamabad for more than a year.

The CDA notice identifies security guard cabins and a generator installed on its land as alleged encroachments. It also points to an additional kitchen constructed within the premises, describing it as a violation of building regulations.

The authority has directed the removal of the identified structures within 15 days, warning that failure to comply could lead to the sealing of the building or demolition of the unauthorised constructions.

The notice was issued to Amanullah, son of Muhammad Younis, who was identified as the owner of the building. It also refers to an earlier directive issued by the CDA on March 18, 2019, calling for the removal of encroachments from the property.

Reacting to the notice, Fazlur Rehman’s son and JUI-F leader Maulana Asjad Mahmood described the action as politically motivated and linked it to his father’s differences with the government.

He alleged that the move came amid heightened political tensions and maintained that objections concerning the security cabins, generator and additional kitchen were being used to target the JUI-F leadership.

However, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry rejected the impression that the action was specifically directed against Fazlur Rehman, describing it as part of a wider campaign against encroachments and illegal constructions across Islamabad.

Speaking to a private television channel on Friday, Chaudhry said the CDA’s anti-encroachment campaign had been under way for more than a year and had initially focused on the capital’s posh sectors.

“Action against encroachments and illegal constructions in Islamabad has not started now, a few weeks ago or even a few months ago. It has been under way for more than a year, and the posh sectors of Islamabad were the first to be targeted,” he said.

The minister regretted that the matter was being used for political gains, insisting that the authorities had issued notices to property owners whose premises contained security cabins, generators or other unauthorised structures on green areas.

He said the government had also removed unauthorised security deployments from public spaces, including green belts, adding that the campaign was being carried out without discrimination, irrespective of the individuals or organisations involved.

As an example, Chaudhry referred to the demolition of a wall belonging to a five-storey building constructed on government land on security grounds, saying the action reflected the authorities’ resolve to remove illegal structures.

Addressing the notice issued in connection with Fazlur Rehman’s residence, the minister said it had been issued in the name of Amanullah. He added that he did not know why the JUI-F chief was residing there or what arrangement existed between the two.

“Defending illegal constructions is unbecoming of any political or religious leader,” Chaudhry said, adding that the operation would continue until all unauthorised structures were removed.

The controversy has emerged amid escalating tensions between the government and opposition leaders over the political and security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Fazlur Rehman has recently criticised the government over the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in the province and called for an in-camera parliamentary discussion on the country’s counterterrorism policy.

Government ministers, meanwhile, have accused the JUI-F chief of politicising security-related issues and rejected his criticism of the administration’s handling of the province.