ISLAMABAD: The incomplete development work in E-12 sector has caught the attention of the current management of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) as its engineering wing has been tasked with taking steps to complete this sector on priority basis.

Sources told Dawn that recently CDA Chairman retired Lt Sohail Ashraf directed the engineering wing to get development work of this sector completed on priority basis.

They said it was decided that after Eid, a meeting would be held on this one-point agenda.

Over 4,000 allottees of this sector, launched in 1989, have been waiting to get possession of their plots for the last 37 years, whereas during this period business of private housing schemes in Islamabad had massively increased.

CDA chief directs engineering wing to get work completed in the sector on priority basis

The sources said the CDA chief recently directed the land directorate to resolve legitimate issues of local landlords on priority basis, adding that the CDA had possession of the land in almost two sub-sectors, but one sub-sector was entirely and the other partially under adverse possession.

“If compensation issues of locals are pending, resolve them on priority, while action should be taken against encroachers; by all means we will have to complete development of this sector on priority basis,” sources quoted the CDA chairman as saying in the said meeting.

It is relevant to note here that partial development work in three sub-sectors has been carried out, such as sub-base work on many streets while one sub-sector (E-12/4) is still under adverse possession with no sign of development.

Ever since the development of D-12 sector in 2008, the civic agency has not developed any new sector, creating a shortage of affordable housing in the city besides causing unrest among the allottees.

At present, other than the existing developed sectors, CDA has 13 acquired residential sectors, out of which eight are completely stalled with no sign of development, while work is ongoing in five others including C-14, I-15 and I-12 with substantial progress.

In addition to the 13 acquired sectors, the civic agency is supposed to acquire nine more sectors, but it has failed in that front as well.

E-12 sector is the highlight of the stalled sectors as it was launched back in 1989 with a promise of handing over developed plots within two years, but still development of this sector remains incomplete while a large number of initial allottees have died in the last 37 years.

However, sources said the incumbent chairman was fully focusing on this sector.

Meanwhile, there is no sight of development work in sectors E-13, F-13 and D-13 as the CDA is yet to complete allotment of plots and built-up property compensation to the landlords.

The civic body has yet to take possession of these sectors as land directorate, despite announcing several times, has failed to hold balloting to allot plots to land affected people of these sectors. A major hurdle in getting possession of land is that locals without getting alternative plots are unwilling to vacate the area.

But, the CDA is using delaying tactics in holding balloting to clear their compensation cases.

Similarly, the CDA, despite having announced several times, has failed to hold balloting of the affected people of sector C-15 in accordance with built-up property award announced in 2016.

“The CDA should clear compensation cases on priority, genuine affected people should be given their due right while action should be taken against fraudsters, who are demanding plots illogically. Despite this, there is no justification of the delay,” an official source said, adding that sector E-12 is on the radar of the current management and hopefully, the issue of this chronic sector would be resolved.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2026