ISLAMABAD: The federal government and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have been focusing on development projects but paying little attention to the decades-delayed revision of Islamabad’s blueprint.

The revision of the city’s master plan, which has already undergone over 50 selective amendments, has been delayed for decades. Meanwhile, the CDA and the federal government have remained focused on forwarding and re-forwarding summaries for a proposed commission, which, once notified, will carry out the revision.

“We must appreciate the federal government and CDA for launching a large number of development projects in Islamabad during the last two years or so. Development is also necessary for the growth of the city, but at the same time, the government should also focus on the revision of Islamabad’s master plan,” said an official.

The latest summary was moved in February this year with the names of 18 proposed commission members, including some whose expertise in town planning was not specified, but the outcome has yet to emerge.

Experts urge government to prioritise long-delayed update as city faces planning, housing and environmental challenges

During the last four years, summaries have been sent and resent several times, and the names of proposed commission members have also changed on multiple occasions.

However, the commission has yet to be notified.

The PTI government had formed a commission that carried out some revisions and regularised construction in certain areas, including Bani Gala, but left the comprehensive revision to international firms to be hired by the CDA. Later, the tenure of that commission expired, and no new commission has been formed since.

“CDA has already forwarded the case for the reconstitution of the Commission for the Revision of the Master Plan to the federal government. However, the final decision regarding its composition and formal notification rests with the Federal Government,” CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani told Dawn on Monday.

It is relevant to note that Islamabad, one of the best-planned cities in the world, is now facing several challenges due to the delay in revising its master plan. The city has already undergone 51 amendments to its master plan by successive governments, mostly without expert input.

Despite these changes, it is still regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with planned urban development, adequate green cover and a relatively clean environment.

However, due to the absence of a proper mechanism to regulate rural areas, particularly private land in Zone III, the city faces serious planning threats. Zone III comprises the national park and areas outside it. Although the land outside the national park is privately owned, construction activities are not permitted there.

As a result, the CDA is not regulating these areas, which include Shah Allah Ditta, parts of Bhara Kahu and a two-kilometre area within the limits of Rawal Dam, all of which remain under a blanket ban on construction activities. However, landowners continue construction on their land without following any planning parameters, as the CDA has no regulatory mechanism in place.

Residents argue that they have the right to build homes on their own land. Officials believe this issue should be addressed through the master plan commission.

The city has also witnessed rapid growth in both population and built-up areas. An official said Islamabad’s built-up area expanded significantly between 1990 and 2020, increasing from 2,693 hectares to 18,465 hectares.

During this period, the city saw mushroom growth of both legal and illegal housing schemes and slums, even in posh sectors such as F-6, F-7, G-7, G-8 and F-8. Islamabad is also facing major challenges related to water scarcity and urban flooding. Last year, several people lost their lives in floods.

Successive governments have also ignored the recommendations of Doxiadis Associates, the Greece-based firm that prepared Islamabad’s master plan in 1960. The firm had advised that the plan be revised every 20 years to meet the city’s evolving needs.

Instead of carrying out proper revisions, successive governments made selective changes without consulting experts. So far, 51 such amendments have been made to the city’s blueprint, including four by the incumbent government.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026