ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Sunday restarted development work in E-12 after conducting a massive operation for retrieving state land.

Development of the sector was stalled for a long time as it was launched in 1989 but people are still waiting to get possession of their developed plots. The CDA last year awarded contracts for development work in two sub sectors of E-12 for construction of roads, streets, drainage, sewerage and a water supply network. But due to resistance from local landlords, the CDA was unable to complete development work in the stipulated one year timeline.

So far, only 11 percent work is done in sub sector 2 and 17pc in sub sector 3. However, on Sunday, the enforcement wing of CDA, backed by police with magisterial cover launched a massive operation, and were able to retrieve state land.

“Today, we have restarted development work. We were directed to complete the work in the shortest possible time. And meanwhile, the tendering process of awarding work in sub sector 4, is in its final stage and soon we will start development work there too. Later on, we will do this in sub sector 1,” said an engineer of CDA, adding recently CDA received bids for sub-sector 4 and very soon, the lowest bidder will be issued work orders for starting development work.

Massive operation has been carried out to retrieve state land, official says

He said that CDA’s operation and construction work will continue on Monday.

“We have been directed by CDA’s management to continue development work without any break and enforcement wing has been directed to help us regularly,” he added.

According to a press release issued by the authority, some people resisted and tried to stop the operation, however, CDA with the help of police continued it.

It is relevant to note here that over 4,000 people have been waiting to get possession of developed plots in E-12 but because of a dispute between CDA and villagers, they have been suffering. The dispute was related to compensation against land and built-up property (BuP).

Last year, a commission formed by Islamabad High Court (IHC), finally directed the CDA to resolve the issue with villagers and clear their compensations, as payments had been made to the CDA in 1989. However, despite the passage of 33 years, people were still waiting to get their developed plots.

The CDA’s Land and Estate Wing, through National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in December and March had allotted 282 plots to local people for getting possession of land. However, after conducting balloting, the CDA is yet to issue allotment letters.

“The allotment letters should be issued without any delay to win the confidence of locals. Whereas, remaining claims of locals should also be cleared as soon as possible to get possession of entire sector,” said an official of CDA.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2022