ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday took possession of 26 flats in the G-6 building, which were under illegal occupation.

Out of a total of 200, the civic agency took over 26 flats, while the remaining are still in possession of illegal occupants mostly police personnel.

Sources said a mega operation was planned for Thursday and in this regard, police assistance was also sought. However, the CDA did not conduct the mega operation and, in the first phase, got possession of 26 flats occupied by CDA officials.

When asked why only CDA officials were targeted and no flats under illegal possession of police officials and others were vacated, CDA spokesperson Shahid Kiani said: “After issuance of written orders of operation, occupants voluntarily started vacating the flats, therefore, operation was postponed. ” He added that action would be taken against those who will not vacate the flats voluntarily.

After written orders for operation, occupants voluntarily started vacating flats and operation was postponed, says official

Sources said that CDA wanted to take over possession of its 200 flats from illegal occupants. After renovation work, the same will be auctioned in the open market as the civic agency is expecting over Rs8 billion revenue from this project.

The CDA constructed the flats near Aabpara Market and was to hand them over to the housing ministry for onward allotment to government officials. However, the terms and conditions with the housing ministry had not been finalised when the 2005 earthquake occurred. Subsequently, survivors and displaced persons were shifted to the flats temporarily.

Later on, during the Lal Masjid operation in 2007, police officials began living in the flats, and to this day they and many other government employees are residing there. Some officials claimed that few flats were even “rented out by illegal occupants.

Nawaz Sharif ‘s vision

This project was part of the vision of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. During his second tenure, Mr Sharif’s cabinet approved the project as part of a redevelopment project approved by the federal cabinet in 1998. These were meant to replace outdated government quarters and provide secure accommodation for the employees.

The project was started by CDA to shift their government employees living in single-storey houses.

Source said that purpose of Mr Sharif’s vision was to promote vertical construction to save the land bank of Islamabad. However, the first project of the flats fell prey to illegal occupation by government servants, including police.

It is relevant to note here that the matter of G6 flats had already reached the highest legal forums. The Islamabad High Court ruled against the illegal occupation of these flats, and appeals filed before the Supreme Court were also dismissed.

The court order stated: “In view of the above, all the captioned appeals are allowed and the impugned order dated 13-04-2011 is hereby set aside. The Inspector General of Police as well as the Secretary, Ministry of Interior, are directed to register criminal cases against all officials/employees of the Police Department who have illegally occupied the flats by force.”

The court further directed the Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, to initiate departmental action against all occupants and submit a compliance report before the court within one month.

Recently, CDA had issued a notice to all the 200 illegal occupants and after expiry of the notice, an operation was planned for Thursday.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2026