ISLAMABAD: Even after 36 years, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) could not develop E-12 sector.

The sector had been launched in 1989 and the civic authority had sold out over 4,000 plots to government officers and public, committing to complete development work within one year, but could not complete it to date.

On the other hand, sources said that a number of allottees have already died, and now their descendants are waiting to get possession of plots.

In recent years, CDA started development work, but it could make progress in only two sub-sectors, while in rest of the two sub-sectors, there is no sign of any development.

CDA officials, however, said that main reason behind the delay in development work was acquired land compensation issue between the CDA and the local landlords. Few years back, CDA started partial development work, but that too could not be completed due to issues between contractors and local landlords.

An official of CDA said that in a recent development work’s review meeting, CDA ChairmanMohammad Ali Randhawa had directed the engineering wing to complete minor leftover work in two sub-sectors and take steps for early start of development work in remaining two sub-sectors.

The official mentioned that the chairman was of the view that pending work in two sub-sectors should be completed as soon as possible so that possession letters could be handed over to allottees of these two sectors.

Meanwhile, an allottee said that it is unfortunate that development work has been pending in this sector for the past 36 years.

“If there is any issue between contractors and the local landlords, that is CDA’s headache,” he said and added that CDA should treat this sector like C-14, where development work is progressing with full pace.

“The development work in C-14 was started just a few years ago and now it is near completion as CDA has been focusing on that sector. A similar pace should be adopted in E-12 development as well,” he added.

CDA officials said that though CDA had made allotment in sector E-12 in 1989, but still civic agency has great revenue potential in this sector provided development work is completed.

“We can sell commercial areas, class-three shopping centres, etc., to generate billions of revenue,” said an official.

In Marakaz of CDA’s sectors, the commercial plots are sold for billions of rupees and if development work is completed in this sector, CDA could fetch billions of rupees, many times higher than the total development cost.

When contacted, CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani said that efforts are underway for early completion of development work in sector E-12.

“I will share a detailed response regarding reasons of delay and our plan for early development,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2025