The CDA has taken a major step in this direction by canceling the lease of a petrol pump site in Sector F-6, Islamabad, for sale on account of non-payment of dues and several violations by PSO and Awan Associates. The lease, having been issued back in 2005, had been regarded and struck down by courts as an illegal act as it exceeded the powers of the CDA.
CDA took these measures due to non-payment of dues of Rs. 480 million, even after issuing multiple notices to respective companies. Further, there were multiple violations at the petrol pump against the agreement on site. The CDA issued notices for rectifying the violations, but these went ignored, therefore forcing CDA to cancel the lease.
CDA will re-issue the site through open bidding after giving wide publicity through the press. A committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the DG Admin to ensure transparency of the bidding process. So this decision is expected to give new investors a fair opportunity to take the site in their stride.
It is noteworthy that a battle regarding the petrol station site had been in the courts for a substantial time, but the latest efforts by the CDA expedited its conclusion. This resolution is another vital step toward combating the historical issues of the petrol station sites.
