ISLAMABAD: The chronic issue of stalled sectors got the attention of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday, as he directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to start development work in these sectors as well as digitise land record within six months.

At present, the CDA has 13 acquired residential sectors and nine of them are stalled with no signs of development.

In addition to these 13 sectors, there are nine other sectors that have not been acquired yet but will be acquired sooner or later as per the civic body’s plans.

The CDA, which is supposed to develop sectors in the capital, has badly failed in this area as it could not develop any new sector after D-12, which was completed in 2008. E-12 is the highlight of the stalled sectors. Plots in this sector were sold by the CDA in 1989 and it has not been developed even now, with many who purchased the land having passed away.

In 2005, the CDA launched I-15 sector and sold plots, but people are still waiting to get possession in this sector. However work in this sector along with I-12 is near completion.

In 2008, the CDA through a land-sharing formula acquired several other sectors – D-13, E-13, F-13, H-16, C-13, C-14, C-15 and C-16. Out of them, development work is in progress only in C-14 and C-15 amid no signs of development in other sectors.

As per the city’s master plan, sectors H-13, H-15, H-16, H-14, H-17, D-14, D-15, and D-16 are also supposed to be developed by the civic agency.

Officials, however, told Dawn that there was a need to complete development work in sectors that had already been acquired instead of launching new sectors.

In the meeting with the interior minister, the issue of illegal housing societies, slums, and right of way of Islamabad Expressway was discussed.

Sources said during the meeting it was discussed that illegal graveyards were being set up on the right of way of this road. The PTI government in 2020 had proposed to lease out a portion of the right of way of this road only to abandon the decision after coming under criticism.

“The interior minister ordered [the CDA] to start development work in those sectors which were lying undeveloped for decades. it is grave injustice to the people if they were not given possession despite paying all charges,” he said, adding that a comprehensive strategy in this regard would be finalised soon.

According to an official handout, Minister Naqvi said that an efficient one-window system would be established in the CDA to facilitate the people. He also asked the CDA to activate its smart mobile application within three months and launch a round-the-clock call centre for the benefit of the masses.

He stressed that efforts should be carried out for the beautification of Islamabad, particularly the Diplomatic Enclave. The minister directed that landscaping in the enclave should be completed in three months. “Keeping in view the growing population, he also tasked the CDA to establish new sectors in the capital,” the statement said.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2024