ISLAMABAD: The city managers have failed to resolve issues related to the acquisition of land in Kuri that was acquired in the 1970s.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had acquired land decades ago but after announcing the award no serious step was taken for development of the model village which was to comprise over 32,00 acres in Kuri, Majohan and Rehala revenue estates in Zone IV.

CDA officials said if the issue of Kuri land was resolved, the civic agency could construct four residential sectors in the area of almost 3,200 acres as normally 750 acres were used for development of a sector.

The officials said the CDA had taken partial possession of the land for development of Park Enclave but still most of the area was under the adverse possession.

Four residential sectors could be established in area of almost 3,200 acres, say officials

They said as per an initial survey, there were 1,100 occupants in the area whose number rose to 7,000 in 2011 as many alleged bogus cases were added to the list of landowners by the CDA officials that led to the start of an investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The inquiry cleared 3,422 ownership cases.

After the alleged scam of bogus lists, no serious effort was made to resolve the issue of built-up property claims and other compensation related issues. An official of the CDA said the built-up property award was announced in 1971 which was contested by the locals due to which possession of the land could not be taken.

In 2009, the civic agency again announced a revised built-up property award but due to allegations of bogus claims the matter was deferred.

“Leaving this important matter unattended for such a long time is sheer injustice with the CDA and locals alike. CDA is still deprived of its land due to the adverse possession while local landlords are also in a fix as the land where their houses are built belongs to CDA as per the land award of 1968,” said the official, adding a committee should be formed comprising officers of CDA, locals and local politicians to resolve the issue.

The official said with the development of new residential sectors, the civic agency not only could generate billions of rupees by selling residential and commercial plots but it will also reduce shortage of affordable housing units in the capital city. The CDA is the main development agency in Islamabad, which is supposed to develop sectors, however, during the last two decades its progress remained very poor in this regard.

During the last a few years, Park Enclave Housing Scheme was completed while development work was started in some stalled sectors, including I-15, C-15 and E-12.

When contacted, CDA spokesperson Syed Asif Raza said efforts had been made to resolve all pending and chronic issues related to land acquisition. He said: “We have started development in many stalled sectors. As far as Kuri is is concerned, due to litigation it has been facing a delay but we will try to resolve it.”

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2022