ISLAMABAD: Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas on Friday grilled top city managers including Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Mohammad Ali Randhawa, Director General Enforcement Dr Anam Fatima and director enforcement for willful defiance of its earlier order regarding the development of Model Village Nurpur Shahan, warning that contempt proceedings may be initiated if compliance is not ensured.

Justice Minhas expressed strong displeasure during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by residents seeking implementation of CDA’s decades-old policy for rehabilitation of affectees whose land was acquired for Islamabad’s development. The petitioners also sought protection against demolitions.

During the hearing, CDA officials submitted their responses to the show-cause notices issued on February 10. Petitioner lawyers argued that the high court had ordered the construction of Nurpur Shahan as a model village in June 2025, but instead of implementing the order, CDA started an anti-encroachment operation there.

Justice Minhas, visibly angered, remarked, “This is your new career, you don’t know what contempt of court means. It is the job of the court to implement the high court order.” The court adjourned the hearing for two weeks, seeking arguments from the parties.

According to court record, more than 17,000 kanals were acquired in Nurpur Shahan under three awards in 1961, 1964, and 1967. The CDA’s reply detailed that the first award was announced on June 2, 1961, for acquiring 107 kanals and 19 marlas with 41 Built-Up Properties (BUPs). The second award followed on January 4, 1963, for 3,502 kanals and 4 marlas with 115 BUPs. The third award was announced on December 26, 1964, for 10,818 kanals, while the last BUP award was on February 14, 1967, covering 579 affectees.

While partial compensation was paid and 397 Eligibility Certificates were issued for agricultural land allotment, several original affectees remain deprived of their lawful entitlements.

In their reply, CDA maintained that after awards under Section 32 of the CDA Ordinance, the land vests in CDA free of encumbrances, and affectees have no justification to use acquired land for personal benefits. The authority stated that before operations, notices were issued on October 13, 2025, and a committee was formed to receive documents from residents.

According to CDA, 84 applicants submitted documents.

In a second phase, 269 applications were received from Nurpur Shahan and Malpur, out of which 161 had already availed benefits, while 108 lacked valid proof.

CDA claimed construction in Noori Bagh Muhalla was illegal, and occupants were non-genuine. They maintained that after notices and DC decisions, occupants with no legal right removed structures without force.

CDA formally approved a policy in 1977 to establish model villages for displaced populations. Nurpur Shahan was included among seven approved model villages. The CDA board in 1986 approved a layout plan comprising 149 residential plots and public amenities. Twenty-six plots have already been allotted, with 23 constructed, creating vested legal rights.

The June 26, 2025 judgment by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani highlighted that CDA reaffirmed its commitment through official committees between 1995-96, addressing layout planning and identification of original residents.

CDA argued that development is now barred under the Islamabad Capital Territory Zoning Regulations 1992, which classify the area as Zone III (National Park). However, the court rejected this, holding that later regulations cannot nullify earlier lawful decisions creating enforceable rights.

In compliance with court directions, CDA constituted a committee, and a meeting was held on February 9, 2026. The matter was placed before the CDA Board on February 11.

The court expressed concern over poor governance, noting CDA had proposed relocating allottees to other model villages without legal basis. The court ruled that CDA cannot abandon the original scheme and must implement it in letter and spirit.

CDA assured the court of utmost respect and prayed that show-cause proceedings be dropped. The court adjourned the hearing for two weeks, directing compliance with its judgment and warning that contempt proceedings may continue if violations persist.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2026