ISLAMABAD: The new regulations and policy related to housing societies of Islamabad, if properly implemented, could provide protections to citizens as now societies are bound to get allotment letters of plots vetted from the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The CDA recently started implementing the said regulations, which were notified some months ago, sources said.

The new regulations will be helpful to bar housing societies from doing fraud with the citizens in shape of over-invoicing and making allotment of plots without having land.

Like other parts of the country, in Islamabad too, a large number of citizens had fallen prey to housing schemes as they were not provided plots despite paying their costs.

Owners will seek prior permission for handing over possession of plots, say officials

Many housing schemes had also sold out amenities land, which was originally reserved for green areas, mosques and school.

It is relevant to note here that last month Chairman NAB retired Lt Gen Nazir Ahmad had announced a new policy for housing schemes to check fraud.

Addressing a ceremony in connection with Anti-Corruption Day in Lahore, he had said that seven out of 10 people in housing schemes had fallen victim to fraud, and a new policy was being introduced to protect urban residents from housing scheme frauds in Punjab.

Following the NAB chairman’s statement, Dawn checked from CDA about its housing policy and officials said last year they had formulated new stringent regulations, which were in place now. They said that the owner of a housing scheme will seek prior permission from the CDA for handing over possession of plots by submitting an undertaking to complete the development works in accordance with the schedule.

“The interest of general public and allottees will be secured and in case of default of sponsors the individual Allottees/Transferees of the scheme/project shall be extended the approval for the construction of their houses/buildings in accordance with the bye-laws of the authority and in accordance with the approved Layout Plan (LOP), even in case the approval of LOP has been cancelled from housing scheme as the default of sponsor shall be recovered from the sponsor.”

The new regulations also stated that unless owners of projects of apartments and commercial units obtained approval from the CDA, the project shall not make public announcement and would not accept any advances from public.

“All allotment letters of housing projects issued by sponsors [owner of the project] shall be shared with CDA for regulating the saleable area within approved LOP and Building Plans,” read the new regulations. It further said that CDA would ensure that only those plots will be allowed to be allotted/transferred which are part of Approved LOP of schemes. “The plots, units, land, transferred to and mortgaged with the CDA, under the provisions of this regulation, shall not be allowed to be allotted/transferred, until redeemed by the CDA.”

The regulations further said that the owners of schemes will not start additional phase and or extension of the scheme/project without completing at least 70 per cent of existing one and he would not change the locations of already allotted plots. The sponsors of schemes/projects shall have a website as per approved format duly connected to CDA website containing details of land ownership approved layout plan of scheme project, NOC details etc.

It was also notified that minimum 8pc area (for Zone-2 & 5) and 12pc area (for Zone-4) shall be in the shape of regular parks/playgrounds. The provision of 8pc area in schemes planned in Zone-2 & 5 and 12pc in Zone-4 should include at least one multipurpose playground (measuring minimum 220’x 320’). The new policy also fixed the width of access road of schemes besides penalties and fines for violations.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2024