By Hafeez Khan
ISLAMABAD : The master plan of Federal Capital is being violated by Capital Development Authority (CDA) in every sector and every where in the city.Due to CDA poor work and performance the citizen of Islamabad are facing difficulties.
What was intended to be a modest sports facility has reportedly transformed into a commercial food venture in F-6 Markaz,Islamabad. A full-scale café set up inside the F-6 multipurpose sports ground, raising concerns over the commercialization of public recreational spaces and violation of lease terms.
According to details the Directorate of Sports and Culture, Capital Development Authority (CDA), has leased portions of its multi-purpose grounds in Sector F-6 and the Diplomatic Enclave to private companies — initially for two padel tennis courts and a small food outlet. However, violations have already surfaced.
According to Malik Ata, Director of Sports and Culture CDA, the lease agreement at F-6 Ground allowed for two padel courts and a small refreshment kiosk. When informed that the food court now occupies more space than both courts combined, he admitted surprise and sought time to review the agreement.
“The intention was to support the athletes, not create a commercial café,” said Ata.
The F-6 ground lease is earning CDA Rs 1 million per month, while the Diplomatic Enclave ground, currently non-operational, is expected to generate Rs 400,000 monthly. Both leases are based on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, with an initial term of four years, extendable by two years. The infrastructure is to be handed over to CDA at the end of the lease.
However, insiders reveal that the company at F-6 markaz has set up a full-scale café between the padel courts — a clear breach of the agreement. What was meant to be a refreshment kiosk has evolved into a profitable food outlet, undermining the original sporting purpose.
Aziz Salam, a regular user of CDA’s other sports facilities, criticized the development, calling it “quite illogical and inappropriate.”
“This was supposed to be a playing area, not a food street. Such commercial setups defeat the entire purpose of a sports complex. It’s also become uncomfortable for women to play here freely due to the increasing footfall of non-players who come only for the café,” he said.
Critics argue the site has become a commercial food hub rather than a public sports facility.
The situation calls for immediate intervention from CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, to address the misuse of public land and enforce the lease terms strictly.
