ISLAMABAD: While the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is gearing up to make the upcoming auction of commercial plots a success, key stakeholders in the real estate business in the city have not only expressed apprehensions over the sale of new plots but also threatened to boycott the bidding process.

A group of investors, who take part in the bidding of large commercial plots costing billions of rupees, have announced their decision to boycott the auction if the civic body did not treat them fairly.

“The building parameters allowed to certain favourites should be made available to all of us,” said Shaukatullah Bangash, one of the leading members of the newly-formed Islamabad Builders and Developers Association (IBADA).

Incidentally, the estate department of the CDA is at odds with large builders for not paying their dues. At the same time, most of the builders have complaints against the civic body for not fulfilling its duties. The civic body has arranged the auction of 33 commercial plots on April 2 and 3 with the expectation to diversify the investors’ base in the real estate business.

For this purpose, the CDA has for the first time offered commercial plots in the suburbs of Islamabad.

Plots to establish small markets and banks are being offered in Chak Shahzad, Rawal Town, Margala Town and Humak Town. Besides, 11 plots for residential-cum-commercial plazas have been offered at I-11/4, three in F-11/1 and several others for mid-level markets in different sectors.

However, the CDA has already started facing resistance from the big developers who have recently formed the IBADA.

The group has not only launched a media campaign but also sought the intervention of the prime minister and the interior minister to delay the auction.

The association has also said it would not participate in the upcoming auction if its concerns were not addressed.

In a meeting with the senior management officers of the CDA on Monday, the builders alleged that officials of the civic body were playing foul with them. They alleged that all the dimensions and parameters for the construction of buildings had been changed to facilitate the blue-eyed boys of the officials.

The chairman CDA was even informed that the plots being offered for sale had technical flaws.

Mohammad Qadir, one of the IBADA members, said the technical specifications set by the civic agency for the construction of the buildings had flaws. For example, on plot number A-3 in front of F-9 and G-9 at Blue Area, the builder has to establish around nine parking basements which was not possible, he added.

The delegation also informed the CDA management that the plots opposite Pims were close to each other and erecting large buildings with basements was not possible there.

Meanwhile, one builder even presented papers showing their request for the approval of building designs had not even been taken up by the planning wing for more than a year.

However, CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal assured the developers and investors that their apprehensions would be addressed. But he has only one day before the auction to woo the large builders.