CDA declares 99 housing societies in Islamabad illegal

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has declared 99 housing and agro-farming schemes in Islamabad illegal and unauthorised, warning the public against investing in projects lacking mandatory approvals amid a widening crackdown on unregulated real estate developments in the federal capital.

In a public notice issued on May 8, the CDA said the schemes, located mainly in Zones 3 and 4 of Islamabad, were marketing and selling plots without obtaining required no-objection certificates (NOCs) and layout plan (LOP) approvals from the civic agency.

The notice, signed by CDA Director Regional Planning Ejaz ul Hassan, said the projects were operating in violation of the CDA Ordinance 1960, ICT Zoning Regulations 1992 and Islamabad’s master plan.

The civic agency said that several of the schemes had been advertising plots through social media campaigns and on-site sales offices despite lacking legal status.

“The general public is advised not to invest in these illegal housing schemes,” the notice said, warning that the CDA would not be responsible for financial losses incurred by buyers or for the future regularisation of such projects.

Among the housing schemes named in the notice were Royal City Housing Scheme on Lehtrar Road, Ghouri Gardens, Commoners Sky Garden in Flower Valley, Katrsaz Villas near D-12, Ameer Khan Enclave near Bahria Enclave, Ghouri Town along the Islamabad Expressway, J&K Farm Housing Scheme, New University Town near COMSATS University and Tricon Agro-Farms on Simly Dam Road.

The CDA said that enforcement operations were already under way against several projects, including the sealing of administrative and marketing offices of schemes such as Shaheen Town and Islamabad Green Paradise.

It added that utility providers, including the Islamabad Electric Supply Company, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited had been requested not to provide electricity, gas or telecommunication connections to the unauthorised developments.

Illegal housing schemes have long been a major issue in Islamabad and surrounding areas, where rapid urban expansion and weak regulatory enforcement have fuelled the growth of private housing projects operating without formal approvals.

The CDA advised prospective buyers to verify the NOC status of any housing society through the authority’s official website before making investments and to ensure that plots are part of approved layout plans.

Under Islamabad’s zoning regulations, private housing developments are generally permitted in Zones 2 and 5 and in certain approved sub-zones of Zone 4.

ritics say many buyers fail to verify the legal status of housing schemes before investing, often resulting in land ownership disputes, delayed development and difficulties in securing civic utilities.

They also question the effectiveness of the CDA’s enforcement department in preventing the emergence of illegal housing societies. Critics allege that some schemes continue to operate due to the alleged complicity of certain senior CDA officials, who allow such projects to function in exchange for hefty bribes.