Following the unexpected closure of Centaurus Mall, traders and shopkeepers have blocked off Jinnah Avenue for traffic. After a raid last night, the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Building Control Department (BCD) sealed the mall.
According to the details and reports, the authorities have sealed the shopping plaza citing ‘nonconforming use.’ The sudden intervention of the CDA has enraged the traders and shopkeepers, who are demanding that the authorities open the building immediately.
Jinnah Avenue is one of Islamabad’s busiest streets. It is the main connecting road between Blue Area, the capital city’s work and commercial hub, and various residential areas within Islamabad.
In this regard, the Islamabad Capital Territory Police (ICTP) has yet to issue a statement or an advisory plan. Nonetheless, the protest is expected to last indefinitely.
The mall caught fire earlier in October, and it remained closed for several weeks, causing numerous businesses to close. Following the latest incident, the working staff and traders are dissatisfied with the government’s hasty decision.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealed the Centaurus Mall during a nighttime raid.
The situation changed after a heated exchange between Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and Azad Kashmir’s Prime Minister, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, during the latter’s visit to Mangla.
During his speech, PM Shehbaz Sharif did not allow the AJK PM to speak.
The Centaurus Mall was reportedly attacked by a CDA team and local police, who then forced the management and security staff to leave before closing the building. The CDA claims that the mall has been closed due to “illegal use.”
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