ISLAMABAD: Several officers and officials of Capital Development Authority (CDA) could face action for their involvement in alleged fraudulent allotment of 10 plots in Sector I-12 as a formal probe has been initiated into matter.

Sources said Member Estate CDA Mohammad Zaman Wattoo recently unearthed the alleged scam, pointing out that 10 plots in the sector were allotted fraudulently. They said the land directorate some years ago had allotted 10 plots (30x60) in Sector I-12/4, allegedly on the basis of fake documents.

Sources said recently the member estate conducted a probe, in which it transpired that the plots were allotted to the legal heirs of a deceased landlord illegally as the same landlord had already received land in Tehsil Jalalpur Pirwala, Multan. Therefore, he was not entitled to get plots in Islamabad.

Sources said during the investigation the member estate came to know that while allotting the plots in I-12, the fact that the deceased had already been given land was concealed by the CDA officials.

Land directorate allotted 10 plots in I-12/4 allegedly on basis of fake documents, says official

After unearthing the alleged scam, the officials of the land directorate remained puzzled during the last few days, guessing who could be involved.

“I guess, this allotment was made by the land directorate in 2017-18,” said an official of the land directorate.

Sources said the administration and estate wings were now determining the roles of CDA officials and the tenure of previously deputed officials of the land directorate will be checked on Tuesday.

When contacted, CDA’s Member Estate Mohammad Zaman Wattoo confirmed to Dawn that a probe was in progress. “Since, our probe is underway so at this stage I can’t share details of plots and officials/officers involved. But yes, 10 plots were allotted in sector I-12 to those who had already got land in Punjab. We are determining the role of our officials,” he said and added: “Purpose of our job is to protect rights of CDA and public. Those, who incurred loss to CDA’s exchequer will have to face the music,” he said.

It is relevant to note that there are two types of plots in CDA sectors. These include plots sold by the CDA through auctions, and plots allotted to affected persons (those whose land had been acquired by CDA for development of Islamabad and who were entitled to get alternate land either in Punjab’s colony districts or in CDA’s sectors). During the last 15 years, many cases of fraudulent allotments of plots by CDA surfaced. Several inquiries were initiated by CDA itself and several others were conducted by Federal Investigation Agency. Many inquiries were still pending.

On the other hand, besides fraudulent allotments, there are around 200 cases of “missing” files from CDA’s record. The sources said there were chances that these plots against land compensation were allotted apparently on the basis of bogus compensation files. Later, these plots were sold in the open market.

Subsequently, in a bid to destroy evidence, the bogus files were allegedly removed from the CDA records, leaving bona fide purchasers in distress, they said.

The sources said the majority of such alleged bogus allotments were made between 2013 and 2023.

A committee was formed a couple of years ago to probe the matter. So far, around 240 such missing file cases have surfaced, of which the land directorate on the direction of the committee has traced the records of 50 files and the probe is still underway.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2026