ISLAMABAD: President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Sardar Tahir Mehmood has called upon the CDA Building Control Department to immediately stop the practice of sealing plazas and business centres without prior notice and consultation, stressing that no business should be closed without providing the concerned owners and traders an opportunity to explain their position.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, Sardar Tahir Mehmood said that targeting an entire plaza or multiple businesses over a single incident or alleged violation is unjustified and irrational. If any violation of building regulations exists, action should be taken against the responsible party in accordance with the law, rather than disrupting the businesses of traders who may have no connection with the violation.
He said that sealing business premises without prior notice was creating serious concern, fear and uncertainty among Islamabad’s business community, which could undermine business confidence and discourage investment. At a time when the city needs greater economic activity, administrative actions that disrupt legitimate businesses should be avoided.
The ICCI President urged the CDA Building Control Department to take plaza owners, traders and other relevant stakeholders into confidence before initiating any enforcement action. He said businesses should be given proper notice, an opportunity to present the required documents and reasonable time to rectify violations that are capable of being corrected.
He demanded an immediate review of recent sealing actions and called for a clear, uniform and transparent mechanism for dealing with building-related violations. He emphasized that enforcement of building regulations is necessary, but it must be carried out fairly, transparently and without unnecessarily paralysing legitimate commercial activity.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood made it clear that ICCI does not oppose action against genuine violations, but strongly opposes arbitrary and unilateral measures that undermine legitimate businesses. He said the business community stands united for the protection of its lawful interests and wants to resolve the matter through meaningful dialogue and consultation with the CDA authorities.
