ISLAMABAD: In a major development, the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) after 17 years handed over allotment letters of 729 plots worth billions of rupees in favour of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

In a statement on Wednesday, the CDA stated that the longstanding issue of 729 plots had been settled after the DHA had issued allotment letters of plots in favour of the CDA in light of the land exchange in 2007-8.

In 2007-8, the CDA had handed over 2,400 kanal land to the DHA and the latter was supposed to give the civic agency 729 developed plots. According to a CDA spokesperson, 729 plots are available in DHA Phase 6 Block A, which will be offered to overseas Pakistanis and the general public.

This major development came to surface ahead of a new deal between the CDA and the DHA, under which the DHA will develop 10,000 kanal land in the Kuri area.

However, the CDA had asked the DHA to comply with its previous commitment before entering a new venture with the civic agency. “The long standing matter regarding handing over of 729 plots by the DHA to the CDA has amicably been resolved,” the CDA said in its statement.

Civic agency decides to offer plots to ‘overseas Pakistanis, general public’

“The CDA has now decided to offer 729 residential plots to general public and overseas Pakistanis. This was decided in a meeting held at CDA headquarters chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The meeting was attended by all board members and senior officers of the authority,” read the press release.

“The matter had been lingering and remained unresolved since 2007-2008 when the CDA had handed over 2,412 kanals and five marlas of land to the DHA under an agreement. According to the original terms, the CDA was to receive 729 plots against that land but the agreement could not materialise for years. Under a fresh agreement, DHA has now handed over the 729 plots to CDA,” the press release said.

An official said that if DHA honoured its both commitment of giving possession of the above-mentioned 729 plots as well as 55pc share in the develop plots in Kuri, then this new deal was good for civic agency as without making any new investments, it would get thousands of developed plots.

Earlier, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa told the meeting that the issue had been unresolved for over 15 years but through proactive efforts and positive approach it had been settled. “This is a major achievement for the CDA as it demonstrates the resolve to protect the authority’s interests and its assets,” he said.

“These 729 plots…will not only generate substantial revenue for the CDA but also open doors for new development and investment opportunities in Islamabad. The revenue generated through these plots will be utilised on the projects that will directly benefit the people of Islamabad,” the CDA chief claimed. According to the press release, Chairman Randhawa lauded the efforts of all those involved in the resolution of the long-standing issue.

It is relevant to note here the federal cabinet recently approved a joint venture between the CDA and the DHA for developing the Kuri model scheme on under a land-sharing formula. As per the agreement, the CDA will have a 55pc share in the plots while DHA will get 45pc plots.

Earlier this year, the CDA had in an advertisement stated that it wanted to get the said project developed through private partnership. In response, several developers, including the DHA, submitted their applications in February this year.

However, after receiving the applications, the CDA slowed down the process, later stating that “only one developer came up with criteria” and decided to go for a public-private partnership with the DHA.

Then CDA board approved a summary in this regard and decided to take up the matter with the federal cabinet, which earlier this month approved the decision.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2024