'Violation': CDA demolishes PTI Central Secretariat's portion, seals office

Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday demolished a portion of the PTI Central Secretariat in the federal capital over a “violation of building rules” and sealed the office. The authority also placed a notice of sealing the property.

The CDA's action sparked strong condemnation from the party leaders. The operation was fully backed by the capital police.

The authority, in a statement, said that it's anti-encroachment team launched an operation late Thursday to eliminate illegal construction and encroachment. The operation began at around 11:30pm and ended after an hour.

It further said that encroachment by a "political party" was being eliminated and added that the plot was allotted in the name of a person named Sartaj Ali.

According to the CDA, an additional floor was also constructed on the plot in violation of the building rules. The government's body added that it had issued notices to the party, but to no avail.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan rejected the CDA's claims and said that they did not receive any orders. He also added that CDA officials were asked to provide documents regarding the operation, however, they failed to produce them.