ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a probe to determine whether the Capital Development Authority (CDA) conducted an anti-encroachment operation in the Bari Imam area last year without clearing compensation cases.

The FIA recently sought from the CDA the record of land acquisition in Noorpur Shahan, Bari Imam. A letter seen by Dawn and addressed to the CDA stated that an inquiry was being conducted at the FIA Headquarters Islamabad on the orders of the minister for interior and narcotics control, following a complaint by Tanvir Hussain, president of the Noorpur Shahan Community Development Organisation.

The complaint concerned the “forceful displacement” of affectees of Noorpur Shahan, Bari Imam, and provision of rehabilitation facilities through the development of a model village.

“In order to finalise the inquiry, complete record regarding the acquisition of land of Noorpur Shahan Bari Imam and award since acquisition of land till date is urgently required,” read the FIA letter issued last month.

We will provide all details to FIA as we did nothing wrong, says CDA officer

Last year, the CDA had stated that it had retrieved state land worth trillions of rupees from illegal occupation, including through the demolition of Muslim Colony. However, residents of the area had maintained that the CDA conducted the operation without fully clearing compensation cases.

They also demanded that the authority develop a model village in accordance with its previous decisions. When contacted, a CDA officer who was part of the operation confirmed that the FIA had sought the record from the authority.

“This is a routine matter. We welcome this probe. It is the right of residents of Bari Imam to approach any forum and they requested FIA for this probe. We will provide all details to FIA as we did nothing wrong,” the officer said.

He added that all houses and settlements removed during the operation fell outside the notified boundary of Model Village Noorpur Shahan.

“All original awardees had already been fully compensated at the time of acquisition. Occupations [were] declared illegal through a lawful, unappealed speaking order of DC CDA. A fully compensated acquisition, followed by a transparent, due-process-driven retrieval operation, has restored valuable public land to its rightful public use,” the officer said.

He added that every step, from notices and hearings to the speaking order and enforcement, had followed established legal procedure and that the order had not been appealed and attained finality before enforcement commenced.

The officer said that besides small houses, a number of farmhouse-type houses had also been constructed on CDA land and were demolished during the operation.

CDA operation along Expressway

Meanwhile, the CDA said in a press release on Sunday that it had launched a comprehensive operation against encroachments and illegal and unauthorised constructions along both sides of Islamabad Expressway.

The operation was aimed at ensuring compliance with building by-laws, recovery of government dues and protection of citizens’ lives and property.

According to the authority, its Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate, in collaboration with the district administration and Islamabad Police, had commenced a sealing and regularisation campaign against construction units along Islamabad Expressway Service Road East.

The CDA said action had so far been taken against more than 50 construction units found in violation of applicable building control regulations. These included 34 units along the Sohan-Iqbal Town stretch and 24 along the Korang Bridge-Korang police station and Gulberg Greens stretch.

Illegal construction units have also been identified for legal action, while a survey of the remaining area and identification of violations are under way, it said.

The CDA said commercial buildings sealed during the campaign were found to be in violation of building by-laws, involved non-conforming use and lacked required fire-safety arrangements.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2026