ISLAMABAD: In a dramatic escalation of the Capital Development Authority’s crackdown on defaulting housing schemes, a local court has issued arrest warrants for the operators and financial managers of 16 approved housing societies over unpaid dues totaling Rs1.8 billion.

Senior Special Magistrate Sardar Mohammad Asif directed the concerned Station House Officers to arrest the nominated officials and produce them before the court on May 14. The action was taken after the CDA’s Housing Directorate informed the court that repeated notices and opportunities to clear outstanding payments had been ignored.

According to court officials, the societies are legally approved but have failed to deposit mandatory charges, including extension fees and commercialization charges. The dues have accumulated over several years, prompting the CDA to initiate legal proceedings to recover the amount.

The affected societies include Bahria Town, Gulberg Residencia, OPF Housing Scheme, Soan Garden, River Garden, Capital Enclave Housing Scheme, Al Hamra Avenue Housing Scheme, Senate Avenue and several others. Court sources clarified that no arrest warrants have been issued for Bahria Town founder Malik Riaz, as the warrants target officials responsible for financial affairs rather than owners.

A court official said the objective of the proceedings is to recover CDA dues, not to permanently penalize the societies. If the outstanding amount is paid, the authority is unlikely to pursue further legal action. Officials emphasized that all legal requirements were fulfilled before the warrants were issued.

The development comes amid intensified efforts by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to support strict action against influential defaulters. The CDA recently also published a list of 99 illegal housing societies in Islamabad, warning citizens against investing in unauthorized projects.