ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Real Estate Agent Association on Tuesday rejected the recent 200 per cent increase in transfer fee imposed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club, President of the Islamabad Real Estate Agent Association Sardar Tahir Mehmood, along with Chaudhry Abdul Rauf, Atif Jameel Butt and Zahid Rafiq, opposed the said increase in the transfer fee by the CDA.

They demanded that the civic agency withdraw the increase, adding that, on the one hand, the government reduced various taxes in the federal budget to boost development and property businesses, while on the other hand, the CDA had imposed a 300 per cent increase in the transfer fee.

The participants of the press conference said that if the transfer fee is not reduced, they will hold a protest demonstration outside the CDA offices on July 22, which will continue until their demands are met.

Sardar Tahir said that a large number of people associated with the real estate business including builders, developers and others belonging to allied industries will participate in the protest.

They also alleged that people have been facing difficulties in getting their building plans approved and obtaining No Demand Certificates (NDCs) for the transfer of plots.

They said that instead of imposing heavy taxes on the public, the CDA should set its own house in order first and end the culture of red tape.

In response to a query about the formation of a committee by the CDA to review the transfer fee hike, Sardar Tahir said that in Pakistan, there is a culture of dragging issues under the guise of committee formation.

“We want immediate withdrawal of the notification increasing the transfer fee,” he said.

The other day, the development authority notified a seven-member committee headed by Member Finance CDA Tahir Naeem Akhtar. The committee, besides CDA officials, also comprises the president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, the senior vice president and the convener of the chamber’s real estate committee.

According to the notification, the committee will hold structured discussions on the concerns raised by the Islamabad chamber and the broader business community regarding the recent revisions in the property transfer fee by the CDA.

It will also review the notified transfer fee regime, identify practical challenges faced by stakeholders and propose amendments or facilitative mechanisms for streamlining the process.

The committee will also explore alternative revenue options for the CDA, including but not limited to revising property tax rates in accordance with prevailing market valuations and adjusting other fees and charges payable to the CDA and Municipal Corporation Islamabad.

Recently, the civic agency increased the property transfer fee threefold. After approval by the CDA board, the Estate Management Directorate notified the new rate in July, stating that people will now have to pay three times the previous amount for the transfer of their houses and plots.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2025