Auto, steel markets in I-10/3 face longstanding construction issues, traders demand immediate resolution

ISLAMABAD: President of the Traders Welfare Association Auto Market I-10/3 Salawar Khan, General Secretary Rana Muhammad Hussain and General Secretary Steel Market I-10/3 Haji Zafar Iqbal have called for immediate resolution of longstanding construction-related issues faced by traders in the Auto and Steel Markets of I-10/3.

The traders’ representatives said plots in the two markets were allotted around 25 years ago through a limited auction conducted through the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A total of 337 plots were allotted in the two markets, with construction completed on around 90 percent of them.

They said the auction conditions allowed construction of basements and ground floors, and no separate fee was imposed on basements at the time. Most allottees completed construction of their plots in accordance with the original terms.

However, complaints have now emerged that the Building Control Section (BCS) is reportedly demanding additional fees of up to Rs30 million for construction on the remaining plots, causing serious concern among traders.

The traders’ leaders said it was inappropriate to alter the terms agreed at the time of the auction after 25 years and impose an additional financial burden of millions of rupees on plot owners. If basement construction was included in the original auction and allotment conditions, they argued, there was no justification for imposing a new or additional fee.

They urged the relevant authorities to examine the original auction record and resolve the matter fairly and without delay.

They further said traders should not face unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and delays in matters relating to building control. The procedure for approval of building plans and other related matters should be made simple, transparent and uniform so that traders do not have to make repeated visits to government offices.

Salawar Khan, Rana Muhammad Hussain and Haji Zafar Iqbal called on Director General BCS Khalid Asif to take immediate personal notice of the issue, order a review of the original auction terms and record, and withdraw any additional fee being charged for basement construction.

They said the Auto and Steel Markets in I-10/3 are important commercial centres of Islamabad, where hundreds of traders and businesses operate. Resolving their longstanding construction-related issues would provide relief to traders and help promote commercial and economic activity.

The traders’ representatives also demanded that BCS officials hold an immediate meeting with representatives of the Auto and Steel Markets, resolve all issues in accordance with the original auction conditions and remove unnecessary hurdles to the lawful construction of the remaining plots.