ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Board, which met here on Saturday, took several policy decisions, including revision of water and sanitation charges, lease extension policy and new parking facilities for commercial buildings.
The civic agency’s board, which met with CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf in the chair, made several decisions, including revision of water and sanitation charges.
It principally agreed to the proposed increase in water and sanitation charges, subject to approval by the federal government.
The CDA Board also approved a summary of the Estate Wing for allowing lease extensions of commercial properties without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Building Control Directorate and on the basis of an affidavit.
Hundreds of leaseholders, due to violations in their buildings, were avoiding obtaining building control NOC, and therefore were reluctant to get their leases extended, resulting in revenue losses for the CDA.
Sources said that under the new decision, leaseholders could get their leases extended by submitting an affidavit stating that they would remove violations within six months.
However, the Building Control Directorate would continue working independently according to its rules and regulations and would deal with commercial buildings accordingly.
“The purpose of this exercise is to facilitate the business community so that lease extension is not linked with building control’s NOC.
“Meanwhile, building control will deal with buildings according to its regulations,” said an officer.
However, sources said there were several cases where leaseholders had changed the trade of plots, and leases in such cases should not be extended under any circumstances.
“We will deal with the issue of change of trade as well and ensure that no such case is approved,” said an Estate Wing officer.
Meanwhile, the board approved that widows and allottees above 60 years of age in Sector E-12 would not be asked to submit delayed development charges immediately; rather, they would be given time to pay their dues.
The board also, in principle, approved the restoration of the Class-III shopping centre in Sector F-11 at the current market rate following court directions.
Interestingly, CDA officials did not file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court decision in this case, and the appeal was filed after a delay of over 520 days. Sources said the summary presented before the board suggested that action should be taken against those who failed to file the appeal within the stipulated time.
However, it could not be confirmed whether the board approved the proposed action.
Meanwhile, the board approved an amendment to the Building Control Regulations 2023, rationalising parking requirements for high-rise commercial buildings in Islamabad.
Under the decision, the newly established standard of providing one car parking space per 1,000 square feet will be applicable. Under the previous regulations, one car parking space was required for every 750 square feet.
The meeting was informed that builders and developers had been facing considerable difficulties in constructing commercial buildings due to the earlier requirement.
In some cases, they had to carry out underground excavation of up to six basements, creating structural and safety concerns.
The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, business community, builders, developers and other stakeholders had repeatedly requested the CDA to revise the parking requirement.
“The decision to increase the parking space requirement to 1,000 square feet will be applicable from today onwards and will also apply to the CDA’s upcoming open auction scheduled for
August 4, 5 and 6 this year, as well as future open auctions of commercial plots,” said a press release.
It added that the facility would be extended to all commercial plots auctioned in the upcoming open auction, and the auction terms and conditions would be amended accordingly.
Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026
