ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority Board on Friday approved the creation of the Islamabad Parks and Horticulture Agency, a dedicated body aimed at strengthening the city’s greenery and protecting its natural landscape. The decision marks a major governance shift as the CDA moves to consolidate all horticulture and park management functions under one specialised authority. The board also referred the matter to the federal cabinet for final approval.
During the meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, officials stated that Islamabad’s current Environment Wing operates through several directorates with limited financial and administrative autonomy. This fragmented structure has resulted in delays, scattered responsibilities and reduced long-term sustainability. The formation of IPHA is expected to streamline planning, development and maintenance of parks, greenbelts, nurseries, medians and open public spaces across the capital.
According to the proposal, the new agency will work under the policy oversight of the CDA Board and will be led by a director general reporting to the Member Environment. Three deputy director generals will supervise key operational areas including enforcement, horticulture, parks, administration and finance. Existing staff from the Environment Wing will be transferred to the new body while additional hiring will be carried out to meet operational needs.
The CDA Board also reviewed the request for a no objection certificate for Jinnah Garden Phase Two. After a detailed discussion, the matter was referred to a technical committee for evaluation. Officials noted that the first phase of the scheme had witnessed serious violations including the conversion of 200 kanals reserved for public amenities into plots that were sold illegally. A federal audit report for 2024 to 2025 had already flagged these violations.
Chairman Randhawa directed that allotment letters for all housing schemes must be printed only through the Printing Press of Pakistan and must strictly match the number of plots approved in each layout plan. He instructed officials to introduce barcodes and watermarks on all letters to prevent the sale of unauthorised files and extra plots.
The Board also reviewed issues related to temporary stalls and kiosks in light of recent court directives and instructed the Planning Wing to prepare a clear policy. Additionally, the board referred the request for revised floor area ratio charges for commercial buildings to the federal government and approved the restoration of two industrial plots in the Kahuta Triangle as per court instructions.
