ISLAMABAD: In a strange move, the CDA has said only selected people whose land was acquired for H-16 will get payment in accordance with the market rates while the rest will be paid at 16-year-old rates.

H-16 was acquired by Capital Development Authority (CDA) in 2008 against Rs84,0000 per kanal. However, many people did not get the amount after terming it too low.

However, recently Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif provided a big relief to the affected people whose land falls in H-16 sector, where the proposed Jinnah Medical Tower will be constructed.

The prime minister while lying the foundation stone of the medial tower had directed the CDA to pay the affected people in accordance with the market rates.

After the directive, the CDA decided to pay those whose land falls in the area where the tower would be built in accordance with the market rates while the others would be paid the rates of year 2008.

On the other hand, sources said that the entire sector was acquired by CDA in 2008 and now it belongs to the CDA. It is strange that the CDA would pay only to those whose land falls in the area where Jinnah Health Tower would be built in accordance with market rates.

“Since CDA acquired this sector in 2008, therefore, there should be same rates for all affected people,” said an official of CDA. It is relevant to note here the federal government wants to construct Jinnah Medical Complex over 700 kanals. Like in H-16, affected people of I-17 also want to get compensation in accordance with market rates.

“Many affected people had already received the compensation amount in accordance with the 2008 rates but still a large number of affected people of H-16 and I-17 want the compensation in accordance with the market rates. Many affected people of I-17 had also filed court cases to get compensation in accordance with market rates,” said an official of CDA.

When contacted, director media CDA Shahid Kayani said that those whose land falls in Jinnah Complex are would get compensation in accordance with the market rates as per directive of the prime minister.

“The land of sector H-16 was acquired in 2009 through an award and Jinnah Medical Complex (JMC) is being constructed on 710 kanals.

Total affectees of land in this area are about 1058 out of which 443 have already received compensation and the remaining 613 will be compensated in accordance with the prime minister’s directives which are specific to Jinnah Medical Complex land.

The survey of BUP has already been completed and the affectees will be compensated accordingly,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2024