ISLAMABAD: Three decades since it sold plots, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is yet to develop E-12. Those who were allotted plots in the sector have now requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to look into the issue as the CDA had received the full cost of the plots, development and additional charges from them in 1989. They said many of the original buyers have since died.

A press release issued by the allottees reads: “Traditional attitude of CDA towards possession and development of the sector brought the situation to standstill. CDA acquired sector E-12 in 1985 and paid cost of land to concerned land owners and subsequently launched a housing scheme there in the year 1989. Of total 4,430 plots of the sector, 2,730 were allotted to CDA employees as well as through draw to general public.

Moreover, 1,700 plots were allotted to in service and retired federal government employees including widows of such deceased employees.”

Nazar Hussain, who was allotted a plot in the sector, said federal government employees were in their late 50s when they were allotted plots and retired employees were in their 60s.

He said 30 years later, more than 1,300 of them have passed away. He said many of them had to face financial difficulties because they were not given possession of their plots in their lifetimes.

He said those who are still alive and the families of the original buyers who have died are still living in rented homes and trying to secure a home for themselves for when they are old.

When contacted, CDA spokesperson Malik Saleem said the sector is stalled due to various problems with Built up Property (BuP) awards as the locals whose land was acquired are yet to move out due to unsettled BuP issues and a number of court cases.

He added that efforts are being made to resolve the issue at the earliest and that development work will be started as soon as the issue of awards is resolved.

Around a dozen residential sectors have been stalled for years including part of I-11, I-12, I-15, Park Enclave II, Kuri Model Village and others but no serious effort has been made by the civic agency to resolve the matter.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2018