Deadline for commercial activities in Cantt limits to expire on March 31

The deadline given by the Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Boards (RCB) and (CCB) to end commercial activities including schools from residential areas will end on March 31 and both the Boards have clarified that no one will be allowed to continue with their illegal activities.
Talking to APP, Cantonment Executive Officer Arslan Haider informed that RCB has issued 1043 notices on un-authorized and illegal commercial activities in cantonment areas which would expire on March 31.
He said, the notices were issued to 222 schools/colleges, 14 Saloons, 14 Clinics/Hospitals and 760 for other commercial activities. 85 notices issued for Military Estate Office land including 44 schools and 41 others while lease of 14 plots determined by MoD, he added.
To a question he said RCB has taken action on commercial activities including private schools in accordance with the directive of the Supreme Court. Though, there were public complaints against academic institutions being run in residential areas and creating problems for the residents, he added.
If the owners of the academic institutions have any problem, they can approach the court to redress their grievances and to get the relief. "We would take action across the board," he added.
Meanwhile, RCB spokesman, Qaiser Mahmood informed that RCB had cancelled lease of 12 plots in Westridge area where illegal commercial buildings were erected to set- up private schools, colleges and other educational institutions violating the rules.
He said that the parents of the students, studying in private educational institutions established in Westridge area on leased plots had been informed about the situation. If the buildings are not vacated then action in accordance with the law would be taken against the violators, he said adding, the owners had been issued notices and given time to vacate the buildings.
He informed that the parents through newspapers public notices were informed about the situation and those involved in illegal commercial activities were directed to close down their businesses else, lease of the properties could be cancelled or the private buildings be sealed.
The administration of the schools and colleges being run illegally in residential areas were informed that they would not be allowed to start new academic year, he said. The board would not bow before the owners of private schools and other commercial buildings illegally erected in residential areas, he added.
Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) has also clarified that commercial activities in Cantonment residential areas will not be allowed as the CCB had issued 445 notices including schools and 170 leased properties for commercial activities in residential areas.
Additional Cantonment Executive Officer (ACEO) CCB, Naveed Nawaz talking to APP informed that the notices would expire in last week of March. To a question he said, those who would not comply with orders would be given final notices under section 256 of the 'Cantonment Act, 1924'.
The violators would face the music and signboards of the schools would be removed, their utility services would be disconnected and finally the schools could be sealed, he added.