ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has failed in helping citizens get fresh vegetables, poultry products and fruits from 551 agro-farms it had allotted to make Islamabad self-sufficient in fresh and dairy produce.

Majority of the leased farms, instead of contributing to their original purpose, have been converted into palatial residences due to alleged negligence of CDA.

On the other hand, the residents of Islamabad have become dependent on agri and poultry products from other cities at higher costs.

When contacted by Dawn, the CDA spokesperson in his brief written reply on Thursday stated that the civic agency will ensure proper utilisation of all the agro-farms. When asked if CDA had any data about production from the said farms, he said: “We shall ensure compliance of regulations in all the areas of CDA including the agro farms. It will be ensured that the leased properties are used for the purposes for which these had been allotted.”

Record shows civic body always adopted lenient approach, allowing owners even to increase covered areas of palatial houses

As per the CDA by-laws, owners of orchards were required to plant fruit trees, 150 per acre, with cultivation of vegetables on 80pc of the land. Similarly, owners of poultry farms were required to produce 4,500 broilers per month besides 9,000 layer chickens with a daily production of 5,000 eggs.

Separately, 65 farms ranging from two acres to 12 acres were allotted for cattle farming in Dairy Farm Kahuta schemes in the 1970s. These farms were supposed to provide dairy and meat to the city but like the agri-farms, they also failed to comply with their purpose.

The CDA has actively conducting operations to retrieve its acquired land and remove encroachments from markets -- also targeting small vendors. However, it seems the civic agency has ignored the violations in agro-farms owned by bigwigs and elites.

“We will treat everyone equally, we will take action against farms houses too. We will ensure that citizens of Islamabad get fresh vegetables and poultry product,” an officer of the CDA claimed.

The farmhouses of various sizes are mostly located in Zone IV with 463 such allotments, followed by 17 each in Zone I and Zone V. The farms are located in various areas, including Park Road Chak Shahzad, Kahuta Road, Murree Road, Tarlai Kalan, Sehana and H-9.

CDA officials Dawn spoke to said since the 1970s the civic agency had launched the agro-schemes to encourage the production of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and poultry. However, they said a very small number of agro-farms were being used in accordance with their original purpose of allotment.

The CDA had allotted majority of the plots against nominal charges while a number of plots were also allotted to those whose land had been acquired by CDA and who were supposed to get alternative land from CDA). Besides, over two dozen plots were auctioned.

However, instead of contributing to the needs of the city’s population for agriculture and poultry products, these farms, particularly those along Murree Road and in Chak Shahzad, are being used for luxury housing.

Record indicates that CDA always adopted lenient approach towards these agro-farms and failed to implement its by-laws. In fact , it kept allowing owners to enhance the covered areas of luxurious houses.

Initially, only 2,250 square feet of covered area (construction area) was allowed. However, later, it was increased up to 5,000 sq feet. Then the owners were allowed to carry out construction up to 9,500 sq feet.

In case of extra construction from 9,500 to 12,500 sq feet, the owners were supposed to pay a fine. Sources in the CDA said majority of the original owners had sold their farms mostly to people from the elite class who have turned these farms into palatial residences.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026