CDA submits Rs1.75b cheque with SC for compensation to affectees
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has released an amount of Rs1.75 billion to be distributed among affected owner of Margalla Towers.
A CDA official told ‘The News’ on Saturday that they had submitted a cheque of Rs1.75 billion dated November 1, 2007 with the office of Registrar of Supreme Court. “The affected owners of Margalla Towers will receive their payment through Registrar of the apex court,” the official said.
The official said that the list of owners of 148 apartments of Margalla Towers is also attached with the cheque. The office of Registrar would make payments to these affected people after deducting the amount of rent, which the CDA had been paying to owners of nearly 80 apartments. “We deducted amount which is little over Rs80 million will be returned to CDA,” an official said.
The CDA had to pay monthly rent to owners who were also occupying apartments at the time of October 8, 2005 earthquake in light of orders of the apex court.
According to latest judgment of Supreme Court, the CDA was directed by the court to pay Rs1.75 billion to affectees of Margalla Towers. The court, however, agreed to plea of civic body that the rent so far paid to the owners, should be deducted from their share.
Out of 148 apartments, the court had decided that the payment in respect of five apartments owned by Ramzan Khokhar, developer of the towers would be deposited in a bank till decision of criminal cases against him.
As per judgment, the CDA with payment of Rs1.75 billion has also become owner of the plot on which five blocks of Margalla Towers in Sector F-10 were raised.
Out of five blocks, one and a half blocks were collapsed in the quake while the authority would demolished remaining structure and would auction the plot or construct nearly 200 new apartments, which would be offered for sale in the open market.