Centaurus Mall, a high-rise shopping centre situated in the capital’s F-8 area at the intersection of Jinnah and Faisal avenues, was sealed down by Islamabad officials over the course of one night on Tuesday.
According to traders and PTI politicians, this was done as “political revenge.”A notice posted outside the mall, however, states:
“The premises has been sealed due to non-conforming use by order of the director of building control for the city, CDA (Capital Development Authority).”
Videos circulating on social media showed barbed wire placed outside the mall, with a police mobile unit parked nearby. 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.”
“Consequent upon the persistent non-compliance to remove building violations conveyed by numerous 15-day notices served by the Building Control Directorate […] and a show-cause notice, the sealing order of the subject premises or property is hereby issued, in accordance with the Islamabad Capital Territory Building Control Regulations 2020 framed thereunder CDA Ordinance 1960 and terms and conditions of the allotment or lease, the sealing order of the subject premises or 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.”
