ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has banned the entry of unauthorised persons into the One Window Operation Centre in a bid to end the role of middlemen in the process of property transfers.
Sources said property agents and middlemen, allegedly in connivance with CDA officials, played a role in property transfers, bringing a bad name to the CDA. Throughout the day, a large number of agents and touts could be seen roaming around the centre.
CDA Member Estate Muhammad Zaman Wattoo, through an official letter, stated that during visits to the One Window Centre on several occasions, the centre was found overcrowded with visitors.
‘Upon inquiry, it transpired that more than 50pc of the persons present were unauthorised and had no legitimate business requiring their presence at the centre. The security personnel deployed at the centre were accordingly instructed to strictly regulate entry and not to allow unauthorised persons access to the premises,’ the letter read.
Itfurther said that despite the clearance instructions, unauthorised persons continued to be allowed entry into the One Window Centre, resulting in unnecessary overcrowding, disorder and inconvenience to genuine visitors.
The member estate directed the director general and director security to depute a responsible officer as in-charge of security at the centre, who would ensure strict regulation of entry and permit only those persons who had legitimate official business at the centre.
The deputed officer would also be responsible for ensuring compliance by the security personnel deployed at the centre.
An official source said banning the entry of touts and agents was a positive step, stating that more reforms were required to ensure a timeline for property transfers.
‘Action should also be taken against all officials/ officers who delay property transfers and, even after the transfer, use delaying tactics in the issuance of transfer letters. There should be a uniform timeline for everyone. Then, the role of touts will be ended for good. Otherwise, I fear that after a gap of a few weeks, touts will start their operation again,’ the source said.