CDA Cracks Down on Illegal Housing Schemes in Islamabad
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has initiated a tough crackdown on housing and cooperative societies in Islamabad that have yet to begin development work after receiving layout plan (LOP) approvals years ago.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting at CDA headquarters on Monday. The meeting was presided over by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa and attended by board members, the Director General (DG) Planning, DG Special Projects, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, and other senior officials from the enforcement and administrative departments.
A CDA representative noted that many housing developments had received LOP permissions but had never begun any physical development on-site. Instead, they sold plot information to the public, creating severe worries about investor protection and land misuse in the federal capital.
To combat this trend and ensure accountability, the CDA has announced a comprehensive set of actions, which include:
- Initiating legal action against non-compliant and illegal housing societies in line with current regulations.
- Publishing a list of illegal housing schemes in leading newspapers to inform and safeguard potential investors.
- Imposing a ban on the sale of construction materials to any housing society that lacks an approved LOP or a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC).
- Holding material suppliers accountable, with a directive to verify the legal status of societies before supplying construction materials.
- Taking action against societies engaged in illegal plot transfers and those attempting to evade the mandatory CDA transfer fees.
These initiatives are part of the CDA’s overall strategy to promote structured urban planning and transparent real estate practices in Islamabad. Officials highlighted that the fundamental purpose is to preserve the public interest, avoid speculative property purchases, and encourage responsible development.
The CDA urged the public to investigate the legality of any housing development before investing. This information is readily available through the CDA Planning Wing or the authority’s official website.
“These steps are essential to maintain the integrity of the capital’s urban development and to protect citizens from fraudulent real estate practices,” according to a CDA employee. “We are committed to ensuring that only legitimate, law-abiding housing schemes operate within Islamabad.”
The CDA’s recent step underscores a rising emphasis on regulation, transparency, and investor safety in Pakistan’s capital, where unregulated housing plans have long threatened both the urban landscape and public trust.
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