Encroachments, land management: CDA deploying modern geospatial tools thru SUPARCO’s help
ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Thursday said the authority is now deploying modern geospatial tools in collaboration with SUPARCO to eliminate encroachments and overhaul land management across Islamabad, as the city moves towards a more transparent and technology-driven governance model.
He made the remarks at a landmark ceremony at Jinnah Convention Centre, where the CDA formally began handing over possession of more than 8,600 developed residential plots in Sector I-15 — a project that had remained stalled for more than two decades. The ceremony was attended by DG NAB Rawalpindi/ Islamabad Waqar Ahmed Chohan as the chief guest, along with CDA board members, senior officials, and hundreds of allottees.
More than 200 allottees received possession certificates during the inaugural event, marking the start of a phased handover of 8,600 out of 10,200 developed plots, collectively valued at over Rs 70 billion. Randhawa congratulated the recipients and said the long-awaited milestone had been achieved under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who have prioritized expanding residential access in the federal capital.
The CDA chairman credited the National Accountability Bureau for helping resolve long-standing administrative hurdles. He said that with NAB’s cooperation, CDA is finalizing the distribution of possession certificates to over 86,000 allottees, and added that remaining recipients would be provided certificates “at their doorstep” to ensure maximum facilitation.
Speaking at the event, DG NAB Waqar Ahmed Chohan congratulated the allottees and said both organisations worked closely to overcome long-standing bottlenecks. He announced that NAB and CDA are jointly introducing a new transparency system for the housing sector, under which allotment letters will be issued with QR/barcode identifiers to prevent document fraud. He also highlighted a recommendation to make Escrow Accounts mandatory for private housing societies, ensuring that funds collected from buyers are spent solely on development works.
Allottees present at the ceremony praised the CDA leadership for resolving the long-delayed sector, saying the move would not only ease housing pressures but also contribute to Islamabad’s planned urban expansion. Many credited Randhawa’s “personal oversight and continuous monitoring” for turning their long-pending allotments into reality.
Randhawa said the renewed public confidence in CDA policies reflects the agency’s commitment to transparency and service delivery. He added that development activity in other pending sectors — including C-14 — has been accelerated, with more handovers expected in the coming months.
Earlier in the day, Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Aamir Khattak co-chaired a meeting of the Meat Board at the CDA headquarters to review the proposed modern slaughterhouse for Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Officials briefed the meeting that the initial study, operational design, and financial model of the project had been completed. The planned facility is expected to meet over 60 percent of the meat demand of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The master plan includes a modern slaughter hall, quarantine wards, storage and warehouse blocks, a sewerage system, and a water treatment plant. The facility will also feature chilling and cold-storage systems compliant with international hygiene standards.
Commissioner Khattak emphasized involving all relevant stakeholders and called for a dedicated monitoring mechanism to ensure timely execution. The CDA chairman said the project aims to guarantee the supply of hygienic, high-quality meat and will also support the twin cities’ ability to export processed meat in the future.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025