ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to send a team of officials to a Gulf country for the transfer of an agriculture plot in Islamabad.

Sources said three officials from the CDA and one from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration were all set to visit a Gulf country for the transfer of the plot.

A former diplomat had purchased a plot in Shahzad Town nearly three decades ago. After completing his service, he returned to his home country, where he later passed away. The plot is now owned by his family.

The sources said the family is now selling the plot to another citizen of the same country and wants to have the property transferred. Under normal procedure, they would be required to visit the CDA office in Islamabad to have their statement recorded. However, upon their request, the CDA has decided to send a team abroad to finalise the transfer deed.

After approval by CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, the Human Resource Directorate issued an NOC for sending the officers to the country.

“The competent authority i.e. Chairman CDA has been pleased to allow following officers of the Authority to visit (country name is being omitted) to visit on 18-07-2025, regarding finalisation of the property transfer process i.e. Agriculture Plot in Chack Shahzad, Islamabad,” read a notification issued by CDA on July 15 (available with Dawn).

It said the officers included the director estate, deputy director estate and an assistant director estate along with one officer from ICT.

The letter said the expenses related to travel, boarding and lodging of the officers will be borne by the embassy of the country.

When contacted, one of the said officials said that everything was being done in accordance with rules and regulations.

“We are waiting for the visas,” he said, adding that in property manual, there is a provision that CDA management can form a commission for transfer of property.

“Our commission often visits houses in Islamabad to get statement recorded of patients and aged people for transfer of property. In many cases, our commission visited other cities such as Karachi and Lahore,” he said.

However, another official said there was no precedent for CDA officials traveling abroad for a property transfer.

“I guess this will be the first foreign visit of our officials for such a purpose,” he remarked.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2025