ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Thursday approved the draft of a bill aimed at removing concerns of the traders and to resolve disputes between tenants and landlords through a mediation council.

The draft of the Islamabad Rent Restriction Ordinance (Amendment)Bill2001waspassedbytheNationalAssembly Standing Committee on Interior headed by Khurram Shahzad Nawaz of the ruling Pakistan Trhreek-i-Insaf (PTI) af ter a brief discussion. The bill had been introduced in the assembly by PTI MNA Asad Umar.

The members of the committee passed the bill terming it `useful`.

Explaining the reasons for introducing the bill, the mover said the Islamabad Rent Restriction Ordinance 2001 was being amended on the decade-old demand of the tenants and the landlords.

`The amended bill entails that every agreement between a landlord and a tenant shall be presented before a controller for record keeping. Any payment related to the tenancy agreement shall be made through a cross cheque or with an official receipt/acknowledgement,` the mover said.

The bill allows an automatic 10 per cent annual increase in the rent of residential and non-residential buildings, unless the parties decide to the contrary in writing.

The bill suggests setting up of a mediation council to be headed by the president Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry or his nominee as its convener for resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. One representative each of the tenant and the landlord will be part of the council.

Under the law, the controller before proceeding with a case shall refer it to the mediation council. In case of no settlement, the controller shall proceed with the case and in case of settlement, the order passed by the controller in accordance with the decision of the mediation council shall be considered final.

Earlier, Interior Minister retired Brigadier Ijaz Shah informed the committee members that the government was planning to revisit the structure of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). He said services of the people of high stature would be hired to head the CDA Board.

The minister said the issue of Khokhas (kiosks)would also be addressed and the CDA wanted to introduce a uniform design for Khokahs for a better look of the federal capital.

Meanwhile, the residents of a slum Farash Town placed their grievances before the committee. The minister assured the committee that the issues of the dwellers of Farash Town would be resolved within 15 days.Staf f Reporter