The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued a show cause notice to M/s Bahria Town (Pvt.) Ltd. for failing to transfer public building sites, parks, graveyard and roads to the Authority in Bahria Town Phase-VII, Zone-5, Islamabad, as required under the CDA Ordinance 1960, ICT Zoning Regulations 1992 and the Private Housing Regulations 2023.
According to the notice issued by the Directorate of Housing Societies, the transfer of land reserved for public utilities in private housing schemes is a mandatory regulatory obligation.
CDA stated that despite repeated notices issued since 2013, Bahria Town has not complied with directions to transfer public building areas and roads in the name of CDA, free of charge, as required under law.
CDA detailed that the first layout plan of Bahria Town Phase-VII, covering 761.20 kanals, was approved in September 2005, while a revised and extended layout plan covering 879.53 kanals was approved in February 2020. Under the approved plans, land reserved for public buildings, open spaces, a graveyard and roads was required to be transferred to CDA for public welfare and regulatory control.
The Authority stated that, based on its assessment, a total of 41.72 kanals of land reserved for public utilities remains untransferred under the revised layout plan. This includes land allocated for public buildings, parks and green areas, graveyard and roads, which CDA says must legally vest in the Authority under zoning and development regulations.
The show-cause notice also refers to multiple judgments of the Islamabad High Court, which upheld CDA’s regulatory powers and directed strict action against housing societies found to have violated approved layout plans or altered public utility areas. The court rulings emphasized restoration of amenity plots, enforcement of penalties, and cancellation of layout plans or NOCs in case of non-compliance.
CDA has directed Bahria Town to transfer the identified land within 10 days, submit compliance reports regarding the earmarking and fencing of public utility plots, install display boards, and provide the latest satellite imagery and drone footage showing the transferred areas. The Authority warned that failure to comply may lead to suspension or withdrawal of NOCs, sealing of offices, blocking access to the scheme, demolition of illegal structures, and referral of the case to investigating agencies such as NAB and FIA.
The notice further states that in case of continued non-compliance, CDA may initiate ex parte proceedings and use force, including police assistance, to remove illegal structures and stop unauthorized land use, with costs recovered from the defaulting sponsor. Bahria Town has also been offered an opportunity of a personal hearing within 10 days before the Director Housing Societies.
