ISLAMABAD: Traders and PTI leaders on Tuesday denounced Islamabad authorities’ move to seal Centaurus Mall, a high-rise shopping centre located in capital’s F-8 sector on the confluence of Jinnah and Faisal avenues overnight, claiming that it was an act of political revenge.
However the notice pasted outside the mall states: “The premises has been sealed on account of non-conforming use by order of director building control-city, CDA (Capital Development Authority).”
In a December 2 notification, the CDA said that the orders to seal the mall were being issued on account of the failure to remove building violations.
The notification stated, ‘Consequent upon the persistent non-compliance to remove building violations conveyed vide numerous 15 days notices served by Building Control Directorate and a show-cause notice the sealing order of the subject premises/ property is hereby issued, in accordance with ’Islamabad Capital Territory Building Control Regulations 2020 framed thereunder CDA Ordinance 1960 and terms and conditions of allotment/ sale agreement.”
The PTI linked the sealing of the mall to criticism of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by Azad Jammu and Kashmir premier Sardar Tanveer Ilyas.
PM Shehbaz inaugurated the refurbishment project of units 5 and 6 of the Mangla Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant, built on the Jhelum river in Mangla area of AJK, on Monday where he addressed the project’s inauguration ceremony. As he was winding up his speech, Ilyas interrupted him and asked what he had done for AJK.
In a video clip that went viral on social media, PM Shehbaz could be seen gesturing to the AJK premier to sit down and raise his concerns after the speech.
According to a witness, after wrapping up his speech, PM Shehbaz hurriedly left the venue without heeding to AJK PM Ilyas, who tried his best to get the premier’s attention.
