ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau has stepped in to support the Capital Development Authority in recovering amenity land from private housing societies operating in the federal capital. Sources say that around thirty four housing societies have yet to transfer nearly fifteen thousand kanal of amenity plots that legally belong to the CDA under existing regulations.
Amenity land is reserved for public utilities including parks schools mosques roads and other civic facilities. However in several cases housing societies allegedly carved out residential plots on this land and sold them in the open market in violation of approved layout plans and CDA rules. The issue recently came to the attention of Director General NAB Rawalpindi and Islamabad Waqar Ahmed Chohan who directed the CDA to ensure immediate transfer of such land with NAB backing the recovery process.
According to sources multiple coordination meetings have already been held at the NAB office where CDA officials were advised to initiate concrete legal and administrative steps. The accountability watchdog has assured full cooperation to protect public interest and prevent further misuse of amenity land meant for community welfare.
On NAB recommendations the CDA has also moved to introduce new regulations for housing societies and apartment projects. Under the proposed framework only plots and apartments included in CDA approved layout plans will be allowed for sale. Housing schemes will be required to open escrow accounts on the Dubai model jointly operated by the developer and the CDA to ensure funds collected for a project are used exclusively for its development.
Speaking at a CDA ceremony last month DG NAB Waqar Ahmed Chohan said new systems were being introduced to promote transparency in the housing sector. He said allotment letters would carry barcodes to prevent fake documentation and escrow accounts would become mandatory for all societies.
Sources said the CDA is also finalising new standard operating procedures for allotment letters. These will include enhanced security features barcodes and complete plot details in line with approved layout plans. The move aims to curb fraud strengthen oversight and safeguard the rights of plot owners while restoring public confidence in Islamabad real estate governance.
