ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to resolve the issue of a missing plot file, even as around 240 such files of the authority remain untraceable, causing distress to owners and their families.

The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, chaired by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, took up the matter of the missing file of House No 622 in Sector I-10/4 on a privilege motion moved by the chairman of the Senate Functional Committee on Government Assurances.

The committee was informed that the case is sub judice. However, it observed that the CDA was not pursuing the matter in an amicable manner and appeared to be penalising the fourth party currently in possession of the house instead of proceeding against the actual culprit, the first owner.

Expressing serious displeasure over the negligence exhibited by the CDA, the committee chairman directed the authority to issue a provisional No Demand Certificate (NDC) to the current owner, subject to the final orders of the court. The CDA was further directed to conclude the matter expeditiously and submit a compliance report to the committee.

Official sources say probe underway into alleged bogus allotments, vanished records

The chairman emphasised that the issue directly impacts the reputation of the CDA.

While the issue of the said house appears likely to be resolved if the NDC is issued, around 240 similar cases remain pending where files of allottees are “missing” from CDA records. Bona fide purchasers, third and fourth parties, are facing serious problems, as those who purchased plots or houses through CDA transfers are unable to get building plans approved or proceed with sales.

At least four CDA officers told Dawn that a meeting was held on Wednesday to review the issue of missing files. “Around 55 cases were presented before the committee, which decided to share its recommendations with the CDA board for a final decision,” a source said.

The source added that the committee intends to provide relief to bona fide purchasers while penalising officials allegedly involved in the initial transfer of plots. “Hopefully, the matter will be resolved soon,” a CDA official said, adding that the minutes of the meeting would be shared with the board.

Sources said the plots were initially allotted against land compensation, allegedly on the basis of bogus files, and later sold in the open market. Subsequently, the files were allegedly removed from CDA records, leaving purchasers in distress when no record of their plots could be found.

Most of the alleged bogus allotments were made between 2013 and 2023, sources said.

A committee headed by the director security, with the deputy director land as secretary and including members from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), is now examining the matter.

Its primary task is to reconstruct the missing records and fix responsibility on officials concerned.

There are two types of plots in CDA sectors, those sold through auction and those allotted to affected persons whose land was acquired by the civic body and who were given plots in return.

According to sources, files of 240 plots initially allotted to affected persons are missing from the land directorate’s record, and it appears that either the files were bogus or contained irregularities.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2026