ISLAMABAD, Aug 28: With the Capital Development Authority (CDA) unable to pay land compensation for the sectors it could not develop, villagers are moving courts to get the money they were promised years ago.

Presently more than 100 cases of land compensation are pending before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Most of them are related to sectors I-12, 1-14, I-15, I-16, I-17, H-16 and some sectors of C, D, E and F series.

“I was paid Rs350,000 way back in late 1990s for the 250 kanals CDA acquired from me for developing the I-15,” says Chaudhry Ihtasham, an advocate. “I was offered a five marla plot for same amount in the sector. I accepted the offer.”

More than a decade on, he has not only lost the land in Sheikhpur village, Ihtasham is owner of the plot only in papers as the authority failed to develop sector I-15. “After more than 15 years, instead of developing the sector, the CDA has set up a dumping site near my plot.”

The CDA has to pay Rs30 billion in compensation to the affected villagers of different sectors. But currently facing financial crisis, the authority is unable to pay such a huge amount.

“What should I do now? The authority is not interested in solving my problem and the only way out for me is to take legal action against them,” according to Ihtasham.

Once the CDA acquires villagers' land, they cannot sale it. Now many villagers also want the authority to de-notify the sectors and want their lands back.

In 2009 Haji Alamgir along with other villagers pledged his land with the CDA for developing the sector I-17. “Now without paying compensation, CDA has become owner of our land. We cannot sell our inherit property no matter whatever the emergency is.”

Ideally the authority should have paid the “award” soon after acquiring land. “But they started playing delaying tactics and now the matter of compensation is lingering on.”

Alamgir alleged that influential people and investors managed to get their dues but a large majority of “real villagers” are still trapped between the CDA and lawyers for compensation.

During a hearing in IHC on the compensation for the villagers of sectors I-16 and I-17, Tahir Shamshad, CDA's member planning, had proposed a land sharing formula in which the authority offered one kanal developed for 4 kanals of “raw land”. But it was rejected by villagers.

“In other sectors villagers who accepted land sharing formula are still waiting for the development. Some have even died waiting for the developed plots. That is why we opposed developed plots for our raw land within our own sector,” Alamgir said.

But he is ready to accept a plot in a developed sector. “We would welcome this and withdraw our cases.”

Raja Inam Ameen Minhas, the counsel for Alamgir, told Dawn that corruption and lack of interest in developing new sectors is main reason behind the growing CDA related litigation. He said after acquiring land for new sectors, CDA officials deliberately delay the possession process. “They also ask their own people to purchase possession of the acquired land on nominal rates and then pay them good price for the same land later,” he alleged. Minhas added “investors and land grabbers” in connivance with CDA officials have set up houses in these sectors. “Now the CDA has to pay billions for the built-up property.”

Barrister Masroor Shah, former CDA legal adviser, to some extent supported Minhas's stance, saying mismanagement by the officials of land directorate has led to litigation. “Due to blackmailing of some corrupt officials an ordinary villager prefers to dispose of his land at nominal rate because he is not sure of getting his due right.”

Mohammad Ramzan Chaudhry, CDA legal advisor, admitted that the alarming increase in cases was a matter of concern for the authority. He added that the CDA board would also consider “de-notifying the new sectors”. The board was also considering amendment in rules to enable the authority to de-acquire the land where possession is not possible, he revealed.

Chaudhry said after assuming the charge of legal adviser, he is trying for quick disposal of cases. “We have approached lower and superior courts for vacation of all stay orders against CDA. The courts have fixed hearing of these cases in the last week of September.”