ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday stopped the Capital Development Authority from dispossessing residents of the controversial One Constitution Avenue project, delivering major relief to flat owners amid an intensifying legal and political storm surrounding one of Islamabad’s most high profile luxury developments.

A division bench comprising Justice Mohammad Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas issued a stay order while hearing intra court appeals filed by residents against the dismissal of their writ petitions. The court directed the CDA to avoid any coercive action against occupants until the next hearing, temporarily halting eviction threats that had triggered panic among residents and outrage on social media.

During the hearing, residents’ counsel Sardar Taimur Aslam argued that the CDA board should first hear the affected buyers and allow them to prove their innocence. Senior lawyer Ali Raza maintained that the authority itself had leased the land and allowed sub leases while the original lease agreement remained valid. He further argued that partial payments made to the CDA covered the area where the residential towers were constructed.

Representing the CDA, lawyer Kashif Ali Malik told the court that the authority remained the lawful custodian of the land and reminded judges that the Supreme Court had already directed the builder in 2019 to pay Rs17.5 billion under strict conditions. He questioned why people invested in what he described as a risky property venture. However, Justice Minhas observed that the CDA had remained aware of the residents’ occupation throughout the years.

The dispute stems from a 2005 lease agreement for a five star hotel project that later transformed into the luxury One Constitution Avenue complex. The CDA cancelled the lease after alleged payment defaults, while a recent single bench verdict ruled that third party buyers would “sink or sail” with the original lessee.

Fresh court documents have now added explosive dimensions to the case. Records include a 2012 arbitration award issued by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and former Faisalabad Chamber president Mian Hamid Javed to settle disputes between project partners. Documents also revealed that 240 apartments were allotted to some of Pakistan’s most influential former office holders, including ex presidents, former prime ministers, former chief justices and senior political figures, turning the case into one of the country’s most politically sensitive real estate controversies.