ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) has expedited development work in E-12 sector, which has remained stalled for 37 years, targeting to complete it within six months.

Chief Commissioner and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf said allottees of this sector were all set to get their rights of developed plots after a wait of four decades.

“More than 1,000 kanals have been recovered, and we are now all set to complete development of this sector in the next six months,” the CDA chief posted on his X account.

He gave credit to his team and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, stating that “this would not have been possible without the clear directions and unwavering support. [His] support has been instrumental in making this important effort [getting possession] a reality.”

The sector has remained stalled for the last over three decades

E-12 sector was launched by CDA in 1989 but despite the passage of 37 years, the civic body failed to complete development work. The major factor behind the delay in completion of development work was adverse possession of land, as local landlords had built a large number of houses on the acquired land. Whereas, some compensation cases were also pending.

Recently, the CDA handed over around 15 allotment letters to local landlords on the spot with the promise of clearing all genuine pending cases.

The CDA says majority of people had already received compensation benefit but despite this they were living on civic body’s acquired land. Recently, the CDA launched operation and 1,000 kanals had so far been retrieved.

On the other hand, significant portion of the development work in three sub-sectors has already been carried out and now the CDA is focusing on the stalled sub-sector 4.

According to the CDA chairman, development work of this sector would be completed in six months.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the CDA stated that civic agency had achieved a historic milestone by successfully retrieving more than 1,000 kanals worth billions of rupees in Sector E-12 after more than four decades, paving the way for the long awaited and accelerated development of the sector.

The successful retrieval of the land is the result of coordinated and sustained efforts by all CDA formations, including the deputy director enforcement and CEO of MCI, working in close collaboration with the deputy commissioner Islamabad, ADC (G), ADC (R), Islamabad police and the concerned assistant commissioners.

Retrieval of land has removed a major impediment to the planned development of Sector E-12 and will enable the CDA to undertake development work in accordance with the approved planning framework.

“Following the successful retrieval of the land, the CDA has commenced development activities in Sector E-12 at full pace, with the objective of accelerating completion and development of the sector in the coming months. Necessary infrastructure and civic development works are being undertaken to provide modern roads, essential municipal infrastructure and improved civic facilities for the future residents of the sector,” read the press release.

Like E-12 sector, development in several other sectors including C-13, C-15, C-16, D-13, E-13 and F-13 remains pending as CDA has yet to clear compensation cases before starting development work.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026