CDA Cracks Down on Unauthorized Housing Schemes to Safeguard Islamabad’s Future

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A recent high-level meeting at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) headquarters, chaired by Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who also serves as Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, focused on intensifying efforts against illegal housing and cooperative societies in the federal capital. The meeting reaffirmed the government’s stated policy of zero tolerance toward unauthorized developments, underscoring the importance of protecting Islamabad’s planned growth and ensuring citizen investments are secure.

This renewed crackdown follows instructions from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, calling for stringent enforcement against encroachments and illegal construction projects across Islamabad. During the session, CDA officials briefed Chairman Randhawa on key actions already underway. These included the cancellation of layout plans and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for societies operating without formal approval. The authority has also sealed multiple offices connected to unlawful schemes, signaling a firmer application of existing urban development laws.

To enhance transparency, the CDA has released an updated list of legal and illegal housing societies on its official website. This measure aims to empower potential investors with the information necessary to verify a society’s legal status through the CDA’s Planning Wing. Citizens are strongly urged to cross-check before engaging in any property transactions.

The CDA emphasized that no housing society is allowed to sell plots outside of its approved Layout Plan (LOP), and warned of strict penalties for violators. Suppliers were also cautioned against providing construction materials to unauthorized projects, an effort to cut off the resources fueling these illegal developments.

Chairman Randhawa reaffirmed that the CDA’s first responsibility is to protect law-abiding citizens and their investments. He encouraged public awareness and cooperation, stating that ongoing vigilance is essential to preserving Islamabad’s master plan.

The government’s recent moves suggest a long-overdue course correction in the face of rampant illegal expansion, often driven by politically connected developers and overlooked by previous administrations. While it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be sustained, this latest action may serve as a warning to rogue developers and a reassurance to lawful investors that Islamabad’s future will be determined by order, not opportunism.