The Capital Development Authority partially reopened Islamabad’s Centaurus Mall on Tuesday evening after a daylong closure for building code violations.
Nasir Mehmood Butt, director of CDA’s Building Control Department, told Dawn.com that the mall’s first floor had reopened, but the basement remained closed due to “nonconformity.”
Illegal business activities were taking place in the basement.
Traders and PTI politicians said the mall was sealed overnight as “political revenge.”
According to a CDA notice posted outside the mall, the mall was sealed due to non-conforming use.
Social media videos showed barbed wire and a police mobile unit outside the mall.
On December 02, the CDA issued orders to close the mall due to “building violations.”
The notification, “Consequent upon the persistent non-compliance to remove building violations conveyed vide numerous 15 days notices served by Building Control Directorate […] and a show-cause notice … the sealing order of the subject premises/ 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.
