The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and requested its reply in a legal challenge against the collection of entry fees in the New Blue Area. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir presided over the hearing of a petition filed by Advocate Tayyab.
Court Proceedings
During the proceedings, the petitioners' legal team, including Hazrat Younas, appeared before the court. Representing the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) were Chief Officer Anam Fatima and counsel Kashif Malik. Kashif Malik informed the court that the fee was being collected by the CDA, not the MCI. He pointed out that the MCI had been named as a respondent in the petition, but the CDA had not been included as a party. He further argued that parking fees were being levied under the CDA Board-approved Parking Regulations 2023 and that the area in question had been designated for parking under the New Blue Area plan. He maintained that the fees were charged for parking on CDA-owned land, not on the service road.
Court's Observations
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir remarked that the court had not even issued a stay order and questioned why the counsel appeared concerned. He observed that the CDA had authorized the MCI to collect the fee and directed the respondents to submit a written reply. The court also ordered that the CDA be made a party to the case.
Petitioner's Request
Petitioner's counsel Hazrat Younas requested the court to suspend the collection of fees, arguing that it was unclear where the money was being deposited and that a private contractor was issuing tickets. The court has yet to decide on this request, awaiting the CDA's response.
