ISLAMABAD: During the first two-day auction of commercial plots at the Jinnah Convention Centre, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) fetched Rs16.44 billion.

In this auction, CDA, besides other plots, also put two commercial plots of Sector C-13 on sale. This sector was acquired by CDA in 2008 on a land-sharing basis, but the compensation cases of the land owners remain unclear. “On the one hand, CDA is unmoved to clear compensation cases of this sector. People are still waiting to get their dues, but CDA has put two commercial plots of this sector on sale, expecting revenue of over 10 billion,” said an official, adding that, however, these two plots could not attract the attention of investors.

According to details, on the second day of the commercial plot auction, Agro Farm No. 18, located on Murree Road, was auctioned for Rs1,212 million. Meanwhile, Agro Farm No. 17-A, also located on Murree Road, was auctioned for Rs966 million.

On the second day of the auction, constructed shop No. 8-A in the Blue Area Parking Plaza was auctioned for Rs151.66 million rupees. Similarly, shop No. 10-A in the Blue Area Parking Plaza was auctioned for Rs147.71 million, while constructed shop No. 12-A in the Blue Area Parking Plaza was auctioned for Rs153.63 million.

Overall, on the second day of the public auction, plots worth a total of Rs2,630.87 million were sold, whereas on the first day, plots worth Rs13,806.87 million had been sold. Thursday (today) is the last day of the auction.

“CDA is all set to fetch a massive amount after selling commercial plots in Sector C-13, a sector whose original landowners are still waiting to get compensation against their land and built-up property. CDA has been using delaying tactics to pay compensation; land is being put on sale in this auction,” said a landowner/affected person of the sector.

He said that C-13 was acquired by CDA on 2-12-2008 under the Land Sharing Policy 2007, but neither any plot was allotted to affected people nor payment was released.

He said that in 2023, the CDA board decided to relocate land compensation in the shape of a residential plot for the affected of Sector C-13 to Sector C-14, and an advertisement was issued for the affected to submit their claims. Many affected submitted their applications, and despite confirmation by revenue staff that their land was acquired, no allotment was made.

The affected also approached the Islamabad High Court, which directed CDA to compensate affected, but those orders were not implemented.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026