Amidst rising political tensions between the government and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued three separate notices demanding the removal of unauthorized constructions at the residence of JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman in an upscale Islamabad sector, as well as at two seminaries reportedly run by party-affiliated clerics.
The owner of the residence has been directed to remove illegal structures within the building's setback area, along with guard posts and generators installed on state land, within 15 days. Notices were issued on October 29 to two seminaries in Sector F-8/3 and another in Bilal Town, near Korang Nullah, over alleged construction without approval.
The notice concerning Fazlur Rehman's residence, dated October 30 and issued by the CDA's Building Control Section, was pasted outside the property. The notice warns that failure to comply could lead to the sealing of the building, demolition of unauthorized structures, and cancellation of the allotment of Plot No. 7, Street 83, Sector G-6/4, under the CDA Ordinance and Islamabad Capital Territory Building Control Regulations, 2020.
Notably, a similar notice was issued on March 18, 2019, during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Reacting to the development, Maulana Asjad Mahmood stated on X that the government had resorted to such measures after the party highlighted alleged encroachments in front of the Peshawar corps commander's residence.
He noted that the CDA had objected to an additional kitchen, a guard cabin, and a generator. "All institutions are bent upon victimizing an individual," he remarked.
Fazlur Rehman's residence has frequently served as a hub for political consultations, hosting leaders including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The CDA maintains that these actions are part of a routine drive against encroachments across the federal capital.
However, JUI-F leadership views the timing as politically motivated, given the current parliamentary climate and the party's recent stance on various national issues. Legal experts suggest that the CDA's move is technically grounded in the 2020 regulations, which empower the authority to reclaim state land used for private purposes.
The residents have been given a strict deadline to rectify the violations to avoid further legal repercussions. As the 15-day deadline approaches, political observers are closely watching whether the JUI-F will challenge these notices in the Islamabad High Court or comply with the directives to avoid a confrontation with the municipal authorities.
The situation remains fluid, with the JUI-F leadership expected to hold further internal consultations to determine their next course of action regarding the notices issued for both the residence and the associated religious seminaries. The CDA has reiterated that no individual or organization is exempt from the building codes, and the enforcement drive will continue across all sectors of Islamabad to ensure compliance with the master plan.